MurrayBlackburnMackenzie

Giving women a voice: the Supreme Court and the STUC - Murray Blackburn Mackenzie Introduction The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) was founded in 1897. Its stated purpose is to co-ordinate, develop and articulate the views and policies of the Trade Union Movement in Scotland....

NEW BLOG: We suggest that decisions made at the STUC this week should be seen as a watershed moment in the history of women in the trades union movement in Scotland, and prompt wider scrutiny of how effectively the STUC listens to women. murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2025/05/01/g...

Earlier today, at the Scottish Labour conference, the Prime Minister was asked about the Sandie Peggie case and the Equality Act 2010 by journalist Catriona Stewart. This is our response to those comments.

In the event of the court finding in the SG's favour, we asked them whether Scottish Labour – and their colleagues in the UK Government – would commit to clarifying the Equality Act 2010 so that acquisition of a GRC does not alter someone’s sex for the purposes of that Act.

We reminded them that lawyers for the Scottish Goverment
were in the UK Supreme Court just a few months ago arguing that men with GRCs should count as women under the Equality Act 2010 Act. (A ruling is expected imminently.) We highlighted the potential consequences of a win for the SG.

On Friday, along with Scottish Lesbians, Women's Rights Network Scotland and Women Won't Wheesht, we wrote to Anas Sarwar and Jackie Baillie regarding Scottish Labour's change of heart regarding their support of the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill. t.co/e05V7z5pBL

Scottish Labour admit they should not have backed SNP trans self-ID Anas Sarwar accused of performing ‘desperate’ about-turn by Conservatives after he told podcast he had ‘deep regret’ over voting for Bill

Our comments were picked up in an article in today's Telegraph. www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...

Our response to yesterday's comments by the Scottish Labour leadership on the Gender Recognition Reform Bill and the Sandie Peggie case.

SNP blocks NHS Fife tribunal being discussed in Holyrood over 'danger' it could jeopardise case The Holyrood clash came as gender critical campaigners wrote to health chief Neil Gray demanding action over changing room policies.

The letter was picked up in an article in today's Courier. www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/...

We joined Sex Matters, For Women Scotland and Fair Play For Women to write to Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, calling on him to uphold the right of NHS Scotland staff to have access to single sex changing rooms at work. t.co/jksh0Cwosu

We think there now needs to be a clear joint statement by the two organisations, on the exact scope of the review.

The analysis is covered in today’s Herald, showing what appears to be contradictory responses from Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority. t.co/0DxG5Upy7T
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Police Scotland review of sex and gender: what’s the story? - Murray Blackburn Mackenzie Introduction This blog traces how Police Scotland appears to be quietly retreating from a promise made to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), and indirectly, through the SPA, to the Scottish Parliame...

NEW: Our latest blog looks at recent developments on the Police Scotland review of sex and gender, which no longer appears to be “wide-ranging” or “fulsome”, as previously stated, but instead limited to data recording. murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2025/01/16/p...

We also seek clarification about the implications of this adjudication in other contexts, such as the reporting of employment tribunals and criminal cases, and the weight that IPSO gives to a Gender Recognition Certificate.

Clarity matters: how placating lobbyists obscures public understanding of sex and gender - Murray Blackburn Mackenzie This blog describes the results of polling we commissioned to test how well people understand what the terms ‘transgender woman’ and ‘trans woman’ tell them about a person’s sex. The findings show tha...

We draw its attention to research we have previously shared with it about the level of public confusion over language in this area, and to recent interventions by human rights experts on the need for clear language in relation to a person’s sex. murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2023/08/07/c...

The importance of clear and accurate language: questions for IPSO - Murray Blackburn Mackenzie We have written today to the Chief Executive of the Independent Press Standards Organisation, following its ruling that the use of the phrase “a man who claims to be a woman” in this Spectator article...

We have written today to IPSO, following its ruling against
The Spectator. murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2024/12/10/t...

The Scottish government is ignoring women’s rights A hearing at the Supreme Court exposed just how flawed its position on gender recognition is.

Lucy is quoted in this article by Hannah Barnes on the arguments made by the Scottish Government in the For Women Scotland case, and the negative consequences for women. www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024...

We are quoted in this article in today's Scottish Express. www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politic...

For Women Scotland vs the Scottish Ministers: making the arguments transparent - Murray Blackburn Mackenzie Introduction Next week the case of For Women Scotland vs the Scottish Ministers will be heard in the UK Supreme Court. It will decide the definitions of ‘sex’, ‘woman’ and ‘man’ in the Equality Act 20...

NEW: We consider the resistance of the Scottish Government and Equality and Human Rights Commission to publishing their written submissions to the UK Supreme Court in the case brought by For Women Scotland, and the steps taken to bring about publication. murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2024/11/21/f...

For Women Scotland Ltd (Appellant) v The Scottish Ministers (Respondent): supreme court hearing – statement of case Statement of Case for the Scottish Ministers and Lord Advocate to the Supreme Court regarding the For Women Scotland Ltd (Appellant) v The Scottish Ministers (Respondent) hearing.

The Scottish Government has now published its submission, which can be accessed here. www.gov.scot/publications...

We are expecting a response from the Equality and Human Rights Commission's lawyers by lunchtime. Amnesty UK's
lawyers have already responded, simply repeating that they intend to publish in due course

We are pleased that the Scottish Government has confirmed to us this morning that it will be publishing its Statement of Case lodged with the Supreme Court. Their lawyers have advised us that SG hopes to put this on its website today and will confirm the position with us as soon as they can.

Briefing note: For Women Scotland vs the Scottish Ministers, UK Supreme Court, 26-27 November 2024 - Murray Blackburn Mackenzie This briefing can be downloaded as a pdf here. What will the Supreme Court consider? Who counts as a woman? The Court will need to decide whether acquiring a GRC: What is the current legal position? T...

NEW: Our briefing note about For Women Scotland vs the Scottish Ministers, which will be heard in the UK Supreme Court next week, on 26-27 November. murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2024/11/19/b...

For Women Scotland at the UK Supreme Court: who are the interveners? - Murray Blackburn Mackenzie Introduction Later this month – on 26 and 27 November – justices at the UK Supreme Court will hear the case of For Women Scotland versus the Scottish Ministers. The case is an appeal, following a ruli...

As described here, the submissions from For Women Scotland, Sex Matters, Scottish Lesbians, the Lesbian project and LGB Alliance have already been published. murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2024/11/14/f...

We have written today to the Scottish Government, EHRC and Amnesty UK, giving notice that we intend to lodge an application with the UK Supreme Court for disclosure of all unpublished submissions in the For Women Scotland appeal case, due to be heard on 26/27 November and asking if they object.

For Women Scotland at the UK Supreme Court: who are the interveners? - Murray Blackburn Mackenzie Introduction Later this month – on 26 and 27 November – justices at the UK Supreme Court will hear the case of For Women Scotland versus the Scottish Ministers. The case is an appeal, following a ruli...

murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2024/11/14/f...