High Court Hears Challenge to Ban on Puberty Blockers for Young People with Gender Dysphoria

The High Court is currently hearing a legal challenge to the emergency ban on prescribing puberty blockers to children with gender dysphoria, as imposed by the former health secretary Victoria Atkins. The advocacy group TransActual and a young person are contesting that the ban, which has affected over 1,000 under-18s, was not based on solid evidence.

Representing the claimants in court, Jason Coppel KC argued that the ban lacked the necessary evidence to justify such emergency legislation. He highlighted instances of self-harm and suicide attempts among young individuals directly impacted by the prohibition.

Atkins altered regulations following the Cass Report‘s findings, which raised concerns about the lack of evidence regarding the benefits and risks associated with puberty blockers but did not explicitly recommend a ban on them.

The ban currently restricts the prescribing of puberty blockers to only within the NHS and through clinical trials, although no trial has been established as yet. Coppel emphasized the unprecedented nature of the emergency order and the potential negative consequences it has had on affected individuals.

Julian Milford KC, representing the Department of Health and Social Care, contended that the emergency order was necessary to prevent the inappropriate prescribing of puberty blockers by non-NHS entities, thus safeguarding the health of vulnerable children. The court is expected to deliver a judgment on the matter at a later date, with the Labour Government expressing intentions to make the ban permanent, pending the court’s decision.