To: Heads of GB Departments; Administrators – GB Departments; Chairs of Faculty Boards; Secretaries of Faculty Boards; Heads of Council Institutions; Administrators – Council Institutions; Heads of Schools; Secretaries of Schools; School HR Business Managers.

Supreme Court ruling

As you know, on 16 April 2025, the UK Supreme Court ruled that “woman”, “man” and “sex” within the Equality Act 2010 are to be understood as referring to biological sex. The court also reaffirmed that legal protections for those with the protected characteristic of gender reassignment under the Equality Act have not changed. This includes protections against direct discrimination, discrimination by association or perception, victimisation and harassment.

On 25 April, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issued an interim update and, like all institutions and public bodies in this country, we are taking steps to understand the practical implications of both the ruling and the interim update while we await statutory guidance from the EHRC in June.

I wanted to be in touch with heads of institutions because I know a number of you have received messages from colleagues on this important matter, and have asked for guidance in communicating consistently at a local level. Last week I communicated with the various relevant staff networks to assure everyone that the University is fully committed to supporting the inclusion of all members of our community.

We recognise that some in our community are concerned at what this ruling means for them and their colleagues and friends. If colleagues or students express concern or distress, please remind them that support is available. Staff can contact The Staff Counselling Centre | Staff Counselling Centre, and students can be in touch with the University’s student support services, as well as similar services in the Colleges.

Key implications of the judgement

The University is committed to upholding the law. As other public organisations across the country also realise, responding to the key implications of the ruling will take some time and we will be informed by the EHRC statutory guidance.

An immediate area of focus for many workplaces and communities will be the use of toilets, changing and washing facilities. The interim update from the EHRC is clear that workplaces must provide sufficient single-sex toilets, as well as sufficient single-sex changing and washing facilities where these facilities are needed, while also ensuring that there are appropriate options for everyone. Under the law, individuals should use toilets, bathrooms and changing rooms that correspond to their biological sex. Unisex, single-occupancy facilities (including accessible toilets) remain available for use by anyone.

There is still much that is unclear about the practical implementation of the ruling. But as a first step, the Estates Division is assessing the provision of both single sex and unisex facilities across the University estate. We anticipate creating access to additional unisex, single-occupancy toilets, changing and washing rooms which will be available for everyone, alongside single-sex facilities where required.

The passionate messages already shared with heads of department and others demonstrate the range of views and strong feelings about the Supreme Court ruling. The University’s core values remain unchanged: freedom of thought and expression, alongside freedom from discrimination.

We understand that there will be a period of uncertainty and upset for some in our community, and ask that everyone acts with compassion and courtesy for one another.

We are also aware that frontline staff, such as receptionists, might want guidance and support to help answer questions about the location of toilets, changing or washing facilities in the building in which they work.

While acknowledging that practical advice is forthcoming, we would advise that frontline staff familiarise themselves with the locations of all available toilets and other facilities in the building, including accessible toilets and unisex options. If there is a building map, it might be helpful to use that for reference when signposting.

If asked about toilets, washing or changing facilities, they should direct people to the toilet they ask for.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. This is not an easy situation to navigate. The University will communicate further on this matter in due course.

Prof. Kamal A Munir

Pro Vice-Chancellor (University Community & Engagement)

Professor of Strategy & Policy

Professorial Fellow, Homerton College

University of Cambridge

EA: Victoria Hall (PVCI@admin.cam.ac.uk)