Objectification and Transgender Jurisprudence: The Dictionary as Quasi-Statute

This paper analyzes definitional issues raised by terms such as “man” and “woman” in transgender jurisprudence, focussing on the Court of First Instance decision in W v Registrar of Marriages. Courts frequently seek guidance on ordinary meaning in standard works of lexicography. But this objecti- fies the trans party by treating so-called “ordinary” meaning and the dictionary definition as determinative.