The case, brought by Greenpeace, will be the first test of how the landmark UK Supreme Court ruling in the Finch case will be applied to new North Sea oil and gas developments.

Greenpeace will argue that the permits for both fields should be revoked because the impact of emissions caused from burning the oil and gas was not taken into account by the companies and the previous government.

The Greenpeace case is being heard alongside a separate challenge to the Rosebank field brought by campaign group Uplift.

Philip Evans, senior campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said: “Earlier this year, the Supreme Court made it crystal clear that the climate impact of emissions from burning fossil fuels must be assessed before any new oil and gas projects can be approved.

“It’s these types of emissions that are causing the climate chaos we’re seeing all over the world, from floods in Spain, wildfires in Brazil, and hurricanes in the US. They are destroying homes and livelihoods – but oil companies want to keep drilling for maximum profits whilst ignoring the damage they’re doing.

“That’s why we are taking Shell, Equinor and Ithaca to court to stop them in their tracks. Right now, they are continuing to develop these unlawful new fields putting people and our climate at further risk.

“It’s time they stop trying to con the public, the courts, and the government and immediately stop these reckless and unlawful projects.”

Lord Deben, former chairman of the Climate Change Committee, said: “If Britain wants the world to move away from fossil fuels it has to show the way, and that means no new expansion in the North Sea. 

“Rosebank and Jackdaw should never have been approved by the previous government.

“These fields will do nothing to help the UK’s energy security or lower our bills because the oil and gas will be sold on the international market. They will only fuel more floods, fires and droughts all over the world.”