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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Haroon Siddique Legal affairs correspondent

Scotland gender recognition bill: what is a section 35 order?

Scotland Westminster Holyrood United Kingdom Nicola Sturgeon SNP Transgender
Nicola Sturgeon, first minister of Scotland, debating gender recognition in the Scottish parliament
Nicola Sturgeon, first minister of Scotland, debating gender recognition in the Scottish parliament in December. Photograph: Colin Fisher/Alamy

As the UK government confirms that it will use a section 35 order to block a new law that would make Scotland the first part of the UK to introduce a self-identification system for people who want to change gender, we explain what it is and why there is such controversy over it.

What does a section 35 order allow the UK government to do?

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