Máiría Cahill

Ms Cahill, who is supported in her case by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC), withdrew from the elections earlier this year because of the requirement.

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.

The case is listed for review in the High Court on Wednesday and will be heard in November, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

Les Allamby, NIHRC chief commissioner, said: “People should not be forced into a position where they have to give up a position or running for public office because a discriminatory and outdated law could put them at risk.

“A law change in this area therefore would benefit categories of people such as domestic violence and abuse victims, or those with concerns for their safety.

“We believe the current law is incompatible with the Human Rights Act. We strongly believe election candidates in Northern Ireland must be extended the same protections as elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

“In the commission’s view, being able to put yourself forward for election locally is a fundamental part of our democracy. The requirement for an individual’s name and address to be published disproportionately affects the right to privacy and may impact on their ability to stand in a local election.”