Overview

• Justice Martin Chamberlain found two grounds — lack of consultation and disproportionate interference with expression and assembly — to be reasonably arguable and approved a substantive hearing.
• The proscription under the Terrorism Act 2000 classifies membership or support of Palestine Action as a crime punishable by up to 14 years in prison and restricts wearing its insignia.
• Since coming into effect on July 5, police have arrested more than 100 people for demonstrating support for the group, raising concerns over a chilling effect on protest and press freedom.
• The Home Office, represented by Sir James Eadie KC, argues that serious damage to RAF Brize Norton Voyager aircraft and political intent fall squarely within terrorism legislation.
• UN rights experts and civil liberties organisations have criticised the proscription as a misuse of counter-terror powers and urged dedicated legislation for disruptive activism.