UK Supreme Court Judgment (For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers): working group minutes: 20 November 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Deputy Director, DG Communities
• Deputy Director, DG Corporate
• Communications Manager, DG Corporate
• Unit Head, DG Communities
• Unit Head, DG Education and Justice
• Unit Head, DG Education and Justice
• Deputy Director, DG Corporate
• Deputy Director, Social Security Scotland
• Team Lead, DG Corporate
• Director General, DG Communities
• Deputy Director, DG Communities
• Communications Manager, DG Corporate
• Director, DG Corporate
• Director, DG Communities
• Unit Head, DG Communities
• Director, DG Education and Justice
• Unit Head, DG Health and Social Care
• Deputy Director, DG Net Zero
• Deputy Director, DG Corporate
• Deputy Chief Executive, Scottish Prison Service
• Director, Scottish Prison Service
• Director, DG Education and Justice
• Director, DG Education and Justice

Items and actions

Introduction

The chair welcomed members to the group.

Minutes

Members approved the minutes from last meeting.

Update on legal issues

An update was given on recent legal activity and next steps.

EHRC (Equality and Human Rights Commission) Code Of Practice

Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights directorate confirmed that a response had been issued to the UK Government on the draft Code Of Practice.

Discussion on next steps on the EHRC Code Of Practice, when it will be laid in parliament and what happens next.

Update from DG areas

High level updates were provided by representatives from DGs:

• Education and Justice
• Health and Social Care
• Corporate
• Office of the Chief Statistician

Update from communications

Communications colleagues provided an overview of upcoming work, including planning ahead for the publication of the updated code of practice.

Any other business and close

Discussion on the assurance process and reporting to Cabinet Secretaries and First Minister. Will follow up with a discussion on reporting and forward planning for next 2-3 months.  

Chair thanked members for their continued work and issued a reminder to continue updating Cabinet Secretaries on progress via the Director-General assurance process.