Charity tells High Court that letting trans women into Hampstead Heath's ladies' pond puts women's 'privacy, dignity' at risk

Sex Matters charity argued in the High Court on Tuesday that the City of London Corporation's trans-inclusive pond policy puts women at a "particular group disadvantage compared to men" because it allows biological males into the Kenwood Ladies' Pond. Lawyers for the charity stressed they were not claiming most trans women posed a direct threat, but that women's privacy and safety expectations are undermined regardless of intent or surgery status.

The case follows the Supreme Court ruling that "woman" under the Equality Act means biological sex, which Sex Matters says makes the current policy unlawful.

The City of London Corporation defended its rules, telling the court no substantiated incidents of inappropriate behaviour by a trans person had been recorded since the policy began in 2026.

A trans-led group has been granted permission to intervene in the case, adding a further voice defending the existing gender-identity access rules.