Liberty intervenes in Supreme Court hearing of Palestine Action proscription

• Liberty submissions put before Supreme Court in Palestine Action case
• Group says proscription was disproportionate use of counter terror powers
• Submissions available to read here

Liberty has intervened in the hearing into the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist group at the Supreme Court  (4 – 5 November 2026).

Liberty also intervened in the case at the High Court and again at the Court of Appeal.

In its submissions to the court, Liberty criticised the UK’s definition of terrorism as “extremely broad” and warned that the proscription of Palestine Action could pave the way for the wider use of counter terror laws against protestors, undermining people’s right to freedom of expression and freedom of association.

Akiko Hart, Liberty director, said: “The Government’s current definition of terrorism is so wide-ranging it captures behaviour most people would never consider terrorism.

“This case has already had a chilling effect on protest and free speech – leaving many too afraid to protest or say the wrong thing.

“When it’s not clear what counts as terrorism, public trust collapses and without trust, counter-terror laws simply won’t work. There is an urgent need to update the current definition of terrorism to enable current, and future governments to uphold their duty to safeguard the public whilst protecting people’s rights and preventing overreach.”