Statement on the Supreme Court ruling on For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers

Published: 9.30am, Monday 28 April 2025

Durham University promotes an inclusive and tolerant community and is committed to preserving privacy, dignity and respect for all.

Our Purpose and Core Lived Values, guiding principles underpinning all we do and say, outline how we celebrate difference, value one another, and how we have a collective responsibility to create an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all. We work closely with all our communities, including our trans community.

Following the UK Supreme Court ruling around the biological definition of a woman, we acknowledge the clarity delivered by the ruling and its reaffirming of our responsibilities towards people with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. These characteristics include age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

The Supreme Court’s ruling offers clarity on our obligations as an institution. Along with other UK institutions, we await detailed guidance on what the ruling will mean in practice, and about its bearing on any practical implications for universities in applying the ruling to our facilities and activities.

The UK government has accepted the ruling, acknowledging that it awaits further guidance and a code of practice from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Durham University will continue to comply with UK law and to ensure the privacy and dignity of every member of our community.

The University offers extensive support to all staff and students, having made important strides in addressing fairness, equity, respect, diversity and inclusion. 

As set out in our Bullying and Harassment policies, we do not tolerate bullying, harassment and discrimination of any kind.

Colleagues who would benefit from further support on this issue may speak to their line manager or our Employee Assistance Programme (available 24 hours every day) and our multi-faith Chaplaincy Service.

Our Student Support Hub contains details of relevant support available for students.  

More details on the Supreme Court ruling from the BBC.