Harriet Haynes v Paul Thomson & Anor (on behalf of the English Blackball Pool Federation)

Harriet Haynes v Paul Thomson & Anor (on behalf of the English Blackball Pool Federation)

Following the Supreme Court's decision in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers, 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refers to biological sex. The claimant's exclusion from female competitions was based on her biological sex, not gender reassignment, and thus does not constitute gender reassignment discrimination. As no claim for sex discrimination was pleaded, the claim fails. Even if gender reassignment discrimination were alleged, exclusion would be justified as pool is a gender-affected activity and exclusion is necessary to secure fair competition.

Parties
Claimant: Harriet Haynes; Defendant: Paul Thomson; Defendant: Anna Goodwin
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
13 August 2025
Procedural Posture
Civil Claim / Final Judgment
Outcome
Claim dismissed
Legal Topics
Gender Reassignment Discrimination, Sex Discrimination, Provision of Services, Gender Affected Activity, Fair Competition, Human Rights Act Compatibility
Equality Law Sports Law Human Rights Gender Reassignment Discrimination Sex Discrimination Provision of Services Gender Affected Activity Fair Competition +1 more

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Parties

Harriet Haynes

Claimant

Paul Thomson

Defendant

Anna Goodwin

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Claim / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether exclusion of a trans woman from female pool competitions constitutes gender reassignment discrimination under the Equality Act 2010
  2. 2 Whether English eight-ball pool is a gender-affected activity under s195 EA 2010
  3. 3 Whether exclusion is necessary to secure fair competition under s195(2) EA 2010

Ratio Decidendi

Following the Supreme Court's decision in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers, 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refers to biological sex. The claimant's exclusion from female competitions was based on her biological sex, not gender reassignment, and thus does not constitute gender reassignment discrimination. As no claim for sex discrimination was pleaded, the claim fails. Even if gender reassignment discrimination were alleged, exclusion would be justified as pool is a gender-affected activity and exclusion is necessary to secure fair competition.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed