A ruling by the Bloody Sunday tribunal on what conclusions it can reach about the actions of British paratroopers on 30 January 1972 may lead to its final report being delayed.
The inquiry into the shooting dead of 14 civilians by British soldiers has heard over 900 witnesses.
Lord Saville, who is chairing the tribunal, and his two colleagues have decided they do not have to use the standard of proof used in criminal cases if they are to find that an individual soldier probably shot someone without justification.
Lawyers for the soldiers had argued the criminal standard of proof must be used. They may now decide to take the tribunal to court.
If that happens, the inquiry could face further delays and it could affect what Lord Saville can say in his final report.
