Court Rejects Legal Challenge
The High Court has decided that the legal challenge brought by a charity against Hampstead Heath’s policy of trans-inclusive swimmng cannot be pursued. Sex Matters argued the use of single-sex swimming facilities by transgender people was illegal.
City of London Corporation is the defendant in the case. They manage the bathing ponds for men, women, and mixed at Hampstead Heath, north London. Sex Matters argued that the policy was discriminatory based on biological gender, citing an 2025 Supreme Court decision.
Charity Argues that Policy is Illegal
Sex Matters has filed a request for a judicial check, alleging that the trans-inclusive rule made women feel less secure and that it compromised their dignity and privacy. Tom Cross, KC representing the charity said that the policy was unfair to women and called on the City of London Corporation change their approach.
The Public Consultation shows Strong Support
Over 38,000 people participated in a public consultation conducted by the City of London Corporation.
Nearly 90% of respondents supported the continuation of trans-inclusive accessibility.
The respondents were 84% of those who had been to the ponds and 74% resided in London. Consultation found that:
- 86% of respondents supported the current rules for transinclusive access
- 90 percent of transgender people reject separate changing rooms and swim times
- Sixty-six percent of respondents oppose making all ponds mix-sex
Both sides have reacted
Maya Forstater, CEO of Sex Matters said that the fight to protect women and their dignity will continue. She called it “deeply unfair” that the City did not defend the legality.
TransLucent, a trans advocacy group, condemned the legal challenge for being a wasteful use of taxpayers’ money. Trans inclusion has become the new norm, and they called for clear guidance on legal issues to avoid costly litigation.
