High Court rules that proscription of Palestine Action was unlawful
16 February 2026
Garden Court North’s Mira Hammad and Rosalind Burgin represented Ms Ammori in her legal challenge to Palestine Action’s proscription. Credit: Pete Speller / Shutterstock.
At approximately 10am on Friday (13 February 2026), the High Court handed down its ruling that the decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group was unlawful, “disproportionate” and should be overturned.
The High Court upheld two grounds of challenge, including that the ban disproportionately interfered with the right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. Both are protected under Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The ruling marks a “monumental victory”, in the words of Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, who brought the legal challenge against the Home Secretary’s decision to ban the direct action protest group under ant-terrorism laws. Ms Ammori said the proscription will be remembered “as one of the most extreme attacks on free speech in recent British history”.
Garden Court North’s Mira Hammad and Rosalind Burgin were instructed by Birnberg Peirce Solicitors and Kellys Solicitors to represent Ms Ammori. They were led by Raza Husain KC and Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC of Matrix Chambers. Other junior counsel for Ms Ammori are Owen Greenhall and Audrey Mogan of Garden Court Chambers, and Paul Lukhurst, Rayan Fakhoury and Grant Kynaston of Blackstone Chambers.
Interventions in the case were made by the UN Special Rapporteur on Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights, Amnesty International UK and Liberty.
Additional media
The Guardian – UK Palestine Action ban ruled unlawful, in humiliating blow for ministers
United Nations OHCHR – UN expert welcomes United Kingdom court finding that the proscription of Palestine Action was unlawful
Financial Times – Palestine Action enters legal twilight zone after landmark court ruling
For further information, please contact Alex Blair, Communications Manager at Garden Court North Chambers: ablair@gcnchambers.co.uk
