The UK Supreme Court has unanimously determined that a woman is defined by her biological sex under equalities law.

It marks the end of a long court dispute that might have far-reaching consequences for how sex-based rights are applied in Scotland, England, and Wales, according to BBC.

The court sided with the campaign group For Women Scotland, which filed a case against the Scottish government saying that sex-based protections should only apply to persons who are born female.

Judge Lord Hodge stated that the verdict should not be interpreted as a victory for one side over another, and emphasized that transgender individuals continue to be protected from discrimination under the law.

The Scottish government contended in court that transgender people having a gender recognition certificate (GRC) had the same sex-based rights as biological women.

The Supreme Court was requested to rule on the right interpretation of the 2010 Equality Act, which applies throughout Britain, BBC reported.

Public reactions to the court's ruling have been mixed, with supporters and opponents gathering outside the Supreme Court to express a range of emotions regarding its implications for gender identity and women's rights.

Activists from both sides voiced their concerns about the ruling's impact. Legal experts indicate that this decision will likely shape future debates and legislative discussions on gender identity and legal protections in the UK, marking a critical point in the ongoing conversation about equality before the law in an increasingly complex social landscape.