Mr Martin McGuinness of Sinn Féin is legally represented by a solicitor, Mr Barry McGrory, and by Mr Richard Ferguson QC, a former Unionist MP for South Antrim.
Mr Ferguson, who worked on the Birmingham Six and Guildford Four cases at the Old Bailey, wore a Remembrance Sunday poppy on his overcoat at he entered the Guildhall. As the legal parties arrived for yesterday's hearing, Mr Damien Donaghy, the first person to be shot on Bloody Sunday, and Mr Gerry Duddy, brother of Jackie Duddy, the first and youngest of the 13 victims, protested on the steps of the Guildhall against the arrival of dozens of additional journalists to cover Mr McGuinness's appearance in the witness-box.
"We are not objecting to the media being here, but we believe they are giving undue attention to one single witness, Martin McGuinness, rather than giving equal attention to the families' call for truth and justice," said Mr Duddy.
On his arrival at the Guildhall, Mr McGuinness said that he was "here for the families of the Bloody Sunday victims".
"I am here for the families and for the truth that they deserve".