A Hong Kong judge on Wednesday ruled to strike down regulations criminalising the use of bathrooms designated for the opposite sex, ruling in favour of transgender individuals’ rights to access public toilets matching their identity.

Judge Russell Coleman approved the judicial review of ‘K’, who was born a woman and identifies as a man, saying the regulations contravene an article of the city’s mini-constitution that stipulates all residents should be equal before the law.

Currently, only children under 5 years old accompanied by an opposite sex adult can enter a public washroom designated for the opposite sex. Those violating the rule face a fine of up to 2000 Hong Kong dollars ($255).