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Nicola Laver

Date posted: 1 Dec 2021

The consultation on a conversion therapy ban in England and Wales has been published, but raises many questions that have yet to be clarified.

The government has proposed a two-pronged approach to a ban. Firstly, giving sentencing courts power to impose tougher sentences for physically violent criminal acts that are motivated by conversion therapy.

Nicola Laver

Date posted: 1 Nov 2021

The Christian parents of two boys are seeking a judicial review in connection with the Cornwall Schools Transgender Guidelines, which encourage children to dress as they choose to reflect their 'true gender'.

The document – first published in 2015 – defines 'true gender' as 'the gender that a person truly feels they are inside'.

The extent of Stonewall’s influence on judicial training in England and Wales could become clearer, following a case brought by Maya Forstater (see photo), the tax specialist who won an appeal against an employment tribunal after she posted gender-critical beliefs online.

There has been mounting concern that Stonewall is exerting far-reaching influence on the training of judges. A number of recent rulings have revealed a growing boldness to issue rulings reflecting a judicial view that people who hold gender-critical beliefs do not deserve protection under equality law.

Nicola Laver

Date posted: 1 Sep 2021

An ex-barrister turned trainee therapist who publicly expressed his gender critical beliefs – that sex is biological and immutable – has been expelled by the Metanoia Institute three years into a five-year university degree.

James Esses was attempting to safeguard therapy and counselling for vulnerable children with gender dysphoria, lodging a public petition which has garnered more than 10,000 signatures. Speaking out also cost him his role as a Childline volunteer.

The companies behind controversial puberty blockers at the centre of a landmark transgender ruling have seen their share prices dip.

The firms, AbbVie Inc and Takeda, saw the value of their shares fall in the aftermath of the Kiera Bell case.

A controversial hate crime law in Scotland has been passed. The legislation had attracted a wide coalition in opposition to it, including evangelicals.

During the debate at Holyrood, Humza Yousaf, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, accepted one amendment from the Tory MSP Adam Tomkins which restated rights under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which emphasises the right ‘to offend, shock or disturb’, in relation to a reasonableness defence.

Scotland’s Hate Crime and Public Order Bill is undergoing more revisions to protect plays and public performances from prosecution, and there may even be further protections inserted for freedom of religious expression.

Scottish Justice Secretary, Humza Yousaf said: ‘Mere expressions of antipathy, dislike, ridicule and insult are not on their own criminal behaviour. I’m committed to work with parliament to ensure hate crime law is effective, while protecting freedom of expression.’