The Court of Appeal has dismissed a barrister’s claims that LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall persuaded her former employer to discriminate against her based on her gender-critical beliefs.
Allison Bailey, founder of unrelated charity LGB Alliance, which promotes the rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual people, had accused Stonewall of instructing, causing or inducing her former employer Garden Court Chambers (GCC) to discriminate against her over her view that sex is biological and cannot change, a belief protected under the Equality Act 2010.
In 2022, Bailey won the discrimination case against GCC when an employment tribunal ruled that her former employer had discriminated against her because of her gender-critical beliefs.
Bailey had also claimed that Stonewall had influenced GCC’s complaints procedure, which the tribunal dismissed.
She appealed the decision regarding Stonewall but this was dismissed by an employment appeal tribunal in 2024.
Bailey subsequently launched a second appeal to ascertain whether the employment appeal tribunal was wrong to dismiss the first appeal, which was heard in the Court of Appeal.
This appeal was dismissed yesterday “on all grounds” after having found that Stonewall had not attempted to cause discrimination against Bailey, nor had it induced or attempted to induce GCC’s discrimination against her.
Bailey: ‘Certain aspects of judgement are surprising and very concerning’
In response, Bailey said on social media: “Certain aspects of the judgment and its reasoning are surprising and very concerning.
“I will need to review it in detail with my legal team before saying more. I intend to share an update, including next steps, after the Christmas break.
“In the meantime, please don’t lose heart. I certainly haven’t. I remain profoundly grateful for the support, kindness, and encouragement so many of you have shown me over the past six years in my pursuit of justice.”
Civil Society has contacted Stonewall for comment.
