[Crimson Dynamo]

It has emerged that guidance for judges tells them to “respect” the gender identity of those who appear in court.

The guidance, which features in the Equal Treatment Bench Book, says: “It should be possible to respect a person’s gender identity and their present name for nearly all court and tribunal purposes, regardless of whether they have obtained legal recognition of their gender by way of a Gender Recognition Certificate.”

It also tells judges that a person’s gender status should not be disclosed unless it is necessary and relevant to the legal proceedings.


DT