Tuesday 9th March - could be a big day

[Xanthangum]

1. Helen Staniland and Glinner giving evidence to the Commons

1. Fair Play For Women VS UK Statistics Authority at Royal Courts of Justice at 10am

1. The Court of Appeal and Harry/ We Are Fair Cop - The Court of Appeal will examine the validity of the College of Police Hate Crimes Guidance

I wanted to start a thread where any major decisions or outcomes and links to anyone live tweeting or online footage. See you back here tomorrow!

@ItsAllGoingToBeFine

In relation to the answer that can be given it is up to the individual to decide how to answer the question. It must not be 'false'. [as long as the induvial thinks its not false] /44

The good old "everything in the census is self-ID by definition' argument which is so beloved by TRAs

@teawamutu

What's the judicial translation of 'this doesn't really help anyone'?

I think "don't waste my time with this argument"

JE: it is possible to have a range of answers [to what is your sex].

Statisticians across the UK use the sex characteristic more than any other variable, along with age. They would be horrified by this statement. (it won't have been the hands on statisticians at ONS that made the stupid decision to turn it into self-id)

Place marking so I can find between meetings!

@Xanthangum thanks! I'm out this afternoon but I'll be keeping everything crossed for everyone!

I'm so proud of all the women (and men) that have made all this possible.

Judge "this doesn't really help anyone"

Is this Judge speak for FFS!

Sir James is arguing that the parliamentary debate on this question contemplated self id. The judge is politely saying “that is utterly irrelevant as it’s not law. In the absence of a clear statutory definition then a term has its normal meaning irrespective of wittering in parliament.” ie I don’t care what some MP said in the HoC because it’s not relevant to this decision.

JE: Census act says individual must not put a 'false answer'. so its ok as long as individual doesn't think its false when answering /44

JE: There hasn't been a change in position. The form of Guidance was doing to be 'legal/official documents'.

Judge: But Bells email on 28th January suggests 'legal sex according to birth certificates and GRC' /45

it would be funny if the outcome of all this turns out to be that people just could no longer change their sex on their passport at more-or-less will.

Judge "It seems a bit odd" what he writes is "all the more baffling" /46

Just placemarking to catch up as I've been out this morning. Seems like it's been an erm...interesting exchange so far.

It’s judge speak for “you’re flogging a dead horse with this one and if you keep going I might start to get mildly irritated”

judge: But Bells email on 28th January suggests 'legal sex according to birth certificates and GRC' /45

How can it be anything else? Would be good to get this cleared up.

@TeenMinusTests

it would be funny if the outcome of all this turns out to be that people just could no longer change their sex on their passport at more-or-less will.

I'm Always gobsmacked that they can.

[how ONS can claims there's been no change in position when we have evidence in writing and on radio that at end of Jan they were saying legal sex!] /47

Judge "It seems a bit odd" what he writes is "all the more baffling" /46

E: There hasn't been a change in position. The form of Guidance was doing to be 'legal/official documents'.

Judge: But Bells email on 28th January suggests 'legal sex according to birth certificates and GRC' /45

Judge "It seems a bit odd" what he writes is "all the more baffling" /46

JE now turns to interim relief. On balance of convenience it should not be granted. If guidance altered it will i) 'people will be unguided by the difficult concept of sex' /48

You do realise, we're paying the salaries of these civil servants

the difficult concept of sex

@Datun

I mean we always say there is no argument.

But you sometimes think a clever barrister could perform some creative, linguistic miracle, don't you.

But no.

Genuinely, this is why these cases are so helpful. Regardless of the outcome - to see the arguments set out clearly and plainly without devolving into adhoms, derails etc.

@ItsAllGoingToBeFine

JE now turns to interim relief. On balance of convenience it should not be granted. If guidance altered it will i) 'people will be unguided by the difficult concept of sex' /48

Not a single person genuinely finds the concept of what their sex is difficult. Not one. Especially trans people, since it is the entire basis of their 'being trans'

individual must not put a 'false answer'. so its ok as long as individual doesn't think its false when answering

If it's based on your birth certificate or GRC, then you know it's not false. How could you think otherwise?