Court Rules Westminster Acted Lawfully When Blocking Scottish Self-ID Law

Conservatives issued a ‘never-before-used’ Section 35 because of the ‘adverse effects’ the Gender Recognition Reform Bill would have had on UK-wide laws.

First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf speaks to the media after First Minster's Questions at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh, on June 15, 2023. Jane Barlow/PA Media

Scotland’s highest civil court has ruled that the UK Government’s blocking of a law, which would have enabled anyone over the age of 16 to self-identify their gender, was lawful.

The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, would have allowed anyone over the age of sixteen to self-ID via a statutory declaration to obtain a new birth certificate, which changes the recording of their registered sex at birth to their chosen gender.