British soldiers seeking to block a ruling requiring them to give evidence in person at the Bloody Sunday inquiry in Derry are to be given a London High Court hearing on November 5th.
The date was set today by Mr Justice Scott Baker after he was told of the extreme urgency of the case and the need to avoid costly delay to the inquiry.
Lawyers for 36 servicemen and ex-soldiers will argue their security cannot be guaranteed, and the decision of the tribunal headed by Lord Saville of Newdigate that they must attend the Guildhall in Derry to give oral evidence breaches Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the "right to life".
The soldiers, whose identities cannot be revealed for legal reasons, have indicated they are willing to give evidence, but object to being forced to do so in Derry.
Lord Saville's legal team will argue the decision was "fair, lawful and reasonable'".
Among those who will be represented is the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, which organised the Bloody Sunday march on January 30 1972, when 13 people were shot dead by British soldiers.
Others represented will include some of the 32 families who had relatives killed or injured and the Ministry of Defence.
PA