Appeal sought against Hampstead ponds trans access

"Lieven said in her ruling that the "appropriate forum" for the claim was the county court, rather than the High Court, but on Friday, Sex Matters said it had applied for permission to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal on the basis that the judge was "wrong in law". Maya Forstater, the charity's chief executive, said she believed the corporation's approach over the north-west London swimming spot was "a clear example of an unlawful policy"."

"She said: "Kenwood Ladies' Pond is an iconic battleground for campaigners for women's sex-based rights. "A judgement in this case would provide a template for other single-sex services, and show that service providers cannot get away with ignoring the law." In written submissions in support of the appeal bid, Tom Cross KC, for Sex Matters, said Lieven was "plainly wrong" to refuse to allow the legal challenge to proceed."

Sex Matters will seek permission to appeal a High Court ruling dismissing its proposed legal challenge to rules allowing trans people to use single-sex facilities at Hampstead Heath's swimming ponds. The charity challenged the City of London Corporation's policy permitting trans people to use ponds matching their gender identity, alleging sex discrimination. The legal bid followed a Supreme Court decision that a person's legal sex is the sex assigned at birth. Judge Lieven said the county court was the appropriate forum, and Sex Matters applied to the Court of Appeal arguing the judge was wrong in law. Tom Cross KC said denying High Court consideration was contrary to the public interest and the rule of law.

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