High Court to rule on Hampstead Heath trans pond access policy

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 16:41 · Archive

A High Court challenge to Hampstead Heath's single-sex ponds policy is examining whether rules allowing access based on gender identity are lawful.

Sex Matters has brought a judicial review at the High Court challenging the City of London Corporation's transgender access policy at Hampstead Heath's Men's and Ladies' ponds. The ponds were established as single-sex bathing spaces, with Kenwood Ladies' Pond opening 100 years ago. The corporation formally adopted a gender identity policy in 2019, allowing trans-identifying individuals to access ponds corresponding to their gender identity rather than biological sex.

Sex Matters claims the policy is unlawful sex discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, particularly after a Supreme Court ruling in 2025 determined that 'sex' in the Act refers to biological sex. Despite this ruling, the corporation voted in May to continue the policy. Sex Matters' lawyers argued the policy placed women at a "particular group disadvantage compared to men". However, the corporation confirmed it had recorded no substantiated incidents of inappropriate behaviour involving a transgender person since the policy was first introduced in 2017.

Representing the corporation, David Stilitz KC argued that changing the policy would prevent transgender people using ponds corresponding to their lived gender, which he described as an aspect of their rights. Sex Matters' counsel emphasised the charity was not suggesting that transgender women posed "an actual threat" to women. The two-day hearing began on 3 October at the Royal Courts of Justice.

How it is being reported

• Court hears Hampstead ponds trans access challengeA policy allowing access to the single-sex ponds based on gender identity is being challenged.BBC London · 3 Nov, 15:59
• Hampstead Heath pond swimmers to attend court challenge over trans inclusive rulesSex Matters challenges Hampstead Heath ponds’ transgender admission policy in the High Court, arguing the City of London Corporation’s rules are unlawful.This Is Local London · 2 Nov, 17:29

In this story: Sex Matters · City of London Corporation · Hampstead Heath · Kenwood Ladies' Pond · Maya Forstater · Supreme Court

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log