The terms “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act refer to a biological woman and biological sex, the Supreme Court has ruled. Campaign group For Women Scotland (FWS) brought a series of challenges – including to the UK’s highest court – over the definition of “woman” in Scottish legislation mandating 50% female representation on public boards.

Five senior judges have ruled on the legal definition of a woman following a challenge brought by women’s rights campaigners.

Lord Hodge read out the full ruling, explaining: “The central question of this appeal is the meaning of the terms of woman and sex in the Equality Act 2010, if those terms refer to biological women or biological sex, or is a woman to be interpreted as extending to a trans woman with a gender recognition certificate.”