Gareth Peirce of Birnberg Peirce Solicitors, a high-profile lawyer who previously represented the Guildford Four and the Birmingham Six, has been instructed to fight the proscription process.

Brighton-based Kellys Solicitors, which specialises in political and protest-related work, is also assisting in the case.

Palestine Action yesterday launched a crowdfunding campaign aiming to raise £100,000 for its legal battle, which is already three-quarters of the way to its target.

“Whilst we hope to stop the proscription process, we need to also prepare for the potential fight to de-proscribe Palestine Action,” the group said.

The UK’s home secretary, Yvette Cooper, told MPs on Monday that she intends to proscribe Palestine Action under section 3 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

A draft proscription order will be laid in the Westminster parliament on Monday 30 June and will, if passed, make it illegal to be a member of or to invite support for Palestine Action, punishable by up to 14 years’ imprisonment.

The move has been sharply criticised by human rights organisations Amnesty International and Liberty.