An appeal to a ruling declaring aspects of the British Legacy Act unlawful begins today. 

The legislation was passed last year and shut down all historical inquiries into Troubles related killings. 

It also offered conditional amnesty to perpetrators and created a new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) to carry out investigations into Troubles era crimes. 

In February, the High Court of Northern Ireland ruled the amnesty breached human rights legislation. 

“So, the UK Government is appealing the High Court decision and that commenced today,” journalist Amanda Ferguson told Newstalk Breakfast. 

“The legal challenge on the Troubles Act is expected to be heard today by the Court of Appeal and that will continue on to June 17th and also a cross appeal by the victims on the human rights’ compliance of the new investigative body commission for reconciliation… will also be heard today.” 

A British armoured car moves through Strabane, Co Tyrone in April 1969. Picture by: PA/PA Archive/PA Images

Whatever the ruling, it is unlikely to be the final decision and the legislation will likely be appealed again. 

“We know that whenever it comes to legacy cases, they’re usually appealed to the highest court possible,” Ms Ferguson said. 

“So, the UK Government decided after that decision back in February, it announced in March that it lodged an application for appeal to the Court of Appeal. 

“The UK Government said it remained committed to implementing its Legacy Act and delivering the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. 

“It feels it will provide better outcomes to victims and survivors of the Troubles by giving them more information about what happened to their loved ones - but that is very widely disputed within the victims’ communities.” 

'There isn’t a one size fits all solution'

The amnesty was strongly opposed by victims groups, who argued it denied them the possibility of ever getting justice for their loved ones. 

However, the British Government believes the new ICRIR will mean "robust and effective mechanisms for addressing the legacy of the past".

“It just feels as if the victims community is always at the centre of further trauma,” Ms Ferguson said. 

“On top of the trauma they’ve already experienced.

“As ever, when it comes to the North, there isn’t a one size fits all solution. 

“There may be some people who are interested in approaching the ICRIR to get a little bit more information. 

“However, there are others who feel what the UK Government is doing is introducing legislation to protect old soldiers and that it’s not about reconciliation and it’s not out better outcomes for people.

“So, the long fight for justice continues for many families in Northern Ireland, in some cases it’s lasted for over 50 years.”

The British Labour Party voted against the Legacy Act and has promised to scrap it if elected in July. 

No party in the Northern Ireland Assembly supports the legislation.

Main image: Bloody Sunday remembrance in London. Picture by: Alamy.com