The judge ruled that separate cases made by victims of blacklisting will be heard together under a Group Litigation Order (GLO).

The next court date has been provisionally set for October and there will be a further hearing in December.

The cases will be managed by a Steering Committee, comprising of the solicitors acting for Ucatt, Unite, GMB and the Blacklist Support Group.

Steve Murphy, General Secretary of UCATT, said: “Today was a green light in the battle for blacklisting justice.

“Over five years after the scandal was first revealed blacklisted victims are beginning to see justice in action.

“The companies involved in ruining workers lives are going to be forced to answer for their actions.”