Edinburgh Court Rules in Favor of Sex Workers, Against Strip Clubs Ban

Edinburgh Court Rules in Favor of Sex Workers, Against Strip Clubs Ban

EDINBURGH, Scotland — Edinburgh sex workers prevailed in their campaign today when a judge ruled that the city council’s attempt to ban all strip clubs was unlawful.

The council’s policy, known as “nil-cap,” effectively banned all “sexual entertainment venues” (SEVs) in the historic Scottish capital.

Local sex workers, alongside the clubs where they make their living, launched a judicial review and today judge Lord Richardson released an 82-page judgment ruling the policy unlawful, the Daily Record

reported.

As XBIZ reported, sex workers were allowed to testify at a March 2022 meeting, and also during a two-day hearing at the Court of Session in December, about the potential harm to their lives and livelihoods if the nil-cap policy were implemented.

Rosie Walker, partner and head of litigation at Gilson Gray, which acted for the United Sex Workers (USW) union, told the Daily Record that Lord Richardson’s ruling was a “fantastic and very well-deserved result.”

Walker noted that if the council’s nil-cap scheme had been upheld, it would have resulted in the closure of every strip club in Edinburgh. 

“That would have meant many of USW’s members losing their livelihoods or having to move away from their homes and families to find work elsewhere,” she added.

'United We Are Stronger'

United Sex Workers celebrated the decision, issuing a statement via a Twitter thread today.

“We beat the nil-cap in Edinburgh,” the group announced. “After months of uncertainty, we are incredibly pleased the Court has held that the City of Edinburgh Council’s decision to impose a nil cap on the number of strip clubs in the City was unlawful … Not only is this a huge win for strippers in Edinburgh, who are no longer facing the prospect of forced mass-unemployment in the middle of a recession, but for the working rights of strippers across Britain. Nil-caps are a violent, anti-worker policy that removes strippers’ access to safe workplaces, workers' rights and their ability to improve their own working conditions. Now they have been found unlawful, we hope this puts an end to local councils imposing strip club bans.”

The USW thread concluded, “As sex workers, especially those of us that are most impacted by criminalization, it can be hard to imagine there is a world where we can not only work in safety, but with full access to workers rights and protections. Each time our members win, move one step closer to making that a reality. United we are stronger.”

Main Image: United Sex Workers activists protesting the nil-cap policy (Photo: Twitter)

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Friday is Final AV Compliance Deadline in UK

Friday, July 25 marks U.K. media regulator Ofcom’s deadline for user-to-user services such as tube, cam and fan sites to implement its requisite “highly effective age assurance” measures for preventing minors from viewing adult content.

Elly Clutch Stars in Latest From Brazzers

2024 XMAs Female Clip Creator of the Year Elly Clutch stars with Ricky Johnson in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Elly’s Evil Twin."

Liz Jordan Crowned Newest Vixen Angel

Vixen Media Group (VMG) has crowned Liz Jordan as its newest Vixen Angel.

Brittney Kade Headlines Latest From TransSensual

Brittney Kade stars in "Sweat Slut Licks Pretty Pits for Bear Fuck," from TransSensual.

Two Texas Bills Restricting Sex Toy Sales Fail to Pass

Two bills aimed at restricting sales of sex toys have failed to pass the Texas state legislature during its 2025 session.

Sweet Sinner Releases 7th Volume of 'The Hot Wives'

Kenzie Taylor, Little Puck, Blake Blossom, and Sophia Locke star in the seventh volume of "The Hot Wives," from Mile High Media studio imprint Sweet Sinner.

NYC Adult Stores Petition for Rehearing in Zoning Law Case

A group of adult businesses on Tuesday petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit to rehear a case involving a zoning law that could severely limit adult stores’ operations in New York City.

Leilani Li, Angellica Good Star in Latest From TransAngels

Leilani Li and Angellica Good star in the latest release from TransAngels, titled “Double VR Mouth Swap,” alongside Marcus McNeill.

Ember Snow Performs 1st DP in Latest From Pure Taboo

Ember Snow has performed her first DP alongside multi-XMAs winner Seth Gamble and Vince Karter in a new psychological thriller release from Pure Taboo, titled “Locked in a Nightmare.”

Savvy Suxx Is Hustler's 'Cover Honey' for August

Savvy Suxx is the Cover Honey for the August issue of Hustler Magazine and appears in a 14-page centerfold spread shot by ThisYearsModel.com.

Show More