overturn a ruling which said they had broken the law with an overtime ban.

They are unhappy with the ruling, made in April by Puisne Judge Vincent Meerabux, which states that it was custom and practice for work on the docks to be done on a 24-hour a day basis with workers being required to work as needed.

The BIU have brought in English QC Alan Newman to help fight the ruling after earlier stating that they saw it as a test case because it believes the employers were trying to force workers to do overtime.

Crucial to the case is whether dock working is an essential service.

Stevedoring Services lawyer Alan Dunch said: "It's my case that this appeal is inarguable.

"When you go through the grounds of appeal everyone of them falls.'' However the Court of Appeal allowed the BIU leave to appeal at a brief hearing yesterday.