Former SDLP councillor Máiría Cahill, who is supported by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC), brought the case after she withdrew from the local elections earlier this year.

A sitting councillor for the Killultagh district in Lisburn and Castlereagh Council at the time, she said she was not willing to publish her address because of “various legal orders” in place to protect her from violence and harassment.

Ms Cahill and the NIHRC argue in their case against Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Chief Electoral Officer that the current law breaches the human rights of victims of domestic violence and abuse, or those with concerns for their safety.

Although the case does not affect the upcoming general election, it will have wide-reaching implications for future electoral candidates and elections in Northern Ireland.