UK Supreme Court Judgment (For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers) Working Group minutes: 13 May 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Deputy Director, DG Communities
• Deputy Director, DG Net Zero 
• Unit Head, DG Education and Justice 
• Policy Manager, DG Communities  
• Policy Officer, DG Communities
• Unit Head, DG Education and Justice
• Deputy Director, DG Strategy and External Affairs
• Director, DG Communities
• Unit Head, DG Communities
• Chief of Staff, DG Communities 
• Director General, DG Communities
• Head of Facilities, DG Corporate
• Director, DG Economy 
• Director, Social Security Scotland 
• Deputy Director, DG Corporate 
• Director, DG Communities
• Director, DG Communities
• Deputy Director, DG Corporate  

Items and actions

Welcome

DG Communities welcomed members to the second meeting of the Short Life Working Group (SLWG) and highlighted the importance of the work of SLWG for Scottish Governments (SG) readiness ahead of the updated Code of Practice expected from the Equality and Human Right Commission (EHRC).

DG Communities noted that some public bodies were beginning to update their polices in light of the judgment and noted the importance of ongoing engagement with those bodies. .

On the tracker, DG Communities thanked members for updating and encouraged them to continue adding to it. DG Communities also reminded members to engage with their respective legal advisers when updating the tracker.

DG Communities asked if members were content with the minutes from the previous SLWG meeting (30 April 2025) – all members content. 

Update to Cabinet

Director for Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights (DEIHR) outlined the most recent update given to Cabinet on engagement with EHRC and the work of the SLWG and its outputs.

Public Bodies

Members discussed the note to be sent to public bodies; the most appropriate mechanism to issue this note; and public bodies’ preparatory work to comply with the judgment and incoming updated Code of Practice.

Updates from Directorate-Generals (DGs)

Members provided an update from their respective DGs on potential areas of interest and concern.

The importance of liaising with respective legal advisors was raised.

The importance of feeding into the tracker was raised.

Members discussed the individual needs of each sector and how best to support them.

EHRC Consultation

Members discussed the upcoming EHRC consultation on the updated Code of Practice.

Close

DG Communities noted the next meeting of the SLWG is still to be confirmed but would continue the pattern of being held every fortnight.

Meeting papers would continue to be issued via DG Communities Private Office (PO).

Actions

SLWG Secretariat to engage with  invite official from Office of Chief Statistician  to a future meeting.

SLWG Secretariat to broaden attendance from  from DG Education and Justice.

SLWG members from DG Economy to consider language used in relation to women to decide on its inclusion in the tracker.

Letter from UK Parliament Joint Committee on Human Rights to the EHRC to be shared with DG Communities PO.

DEIHR to work with legal advisors on co-ordinating a response to the EHRC consultation, once published.