Case 1: Higgs - Apparent bias in EAT on gender critical beliefs

The case of Higgs involved a claimant who had been dismissed from a school after expressing stringent gender critical views on social media. The claimant raised concerns about the bias of an EAT lay member who held a senior position in a teaching union supportive of views she disagreed with. The EAT considered whether there was a perception of bias and concluded that a fair-minded observer might question the neutralmind of the lay member due to the union's strong stance on the issue. This case highlights the challenges in securing an objective hearing when views on gender critical beliefs are divided.