The House of Lords is to consider the legal implications of a ruling in London's High Court yesterday which could render convictions under a key section of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) unsafe.
Ms Gareth Peirce, who is acting in the case for four Algerians, said the ruling could open up the possibility of people convicted in Northern Ireland challenging their convictions under sections of the Emergency Provisions (Northern Ireland) Act.
The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Bingham, said Section 16 of the PTA undermined a defendant's right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. It reversed the burden of proof by requiring a defendant to establish that alleged terrorist items in his or her possession were for innocent purposes.
The case involves four Algerians accused of having items connected with the preparation or instigation of terrorism.
