BBC Legal Affairs Correspondent Jane Peel reports on claims for psychiatric illness

Fourteen officers have already won settlements totalling £1.2m for the post-traumatic stress they suffered dealing with the tragedy at the football match in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

The four due to hear the Lords verdict on Thursday were less closely involved, but have fought their employers to the House of Lords.

Claims of psychiatric injuries brought by 17 other officers depend on the decision.

Nine years after the disaster, dozens of survivors remain traumatised

Some 96 people - mostly Liverpool fans - were crushed to death at the Sheffield Wednesday stadium in 1989 after too many fans were allowed in during an FA Cup tie.

South Yorkshire police admitted responsibility, along with Sheffield Wednesday and the club's engineers.

The Court of Appeal said the four officers - who have now left the force - were entitled to compensation.

Three of the officers were considered close enough to the tragedy to be considered rescuers and the fourth had been put at risk of psychiatric injury by his employer's negligence.

The decision angered the victims' relatives, who have been denied compensation.

'Matter of life and death'

South Yorkshire police appealed to the Lords to overturn the ruling, resulting in Thursday's decision.

Meanwhile, police have confirmed that taxpayers are to foot the bill for the defence costs of two former police officers accused of the manslaughter of fans at the disaster.

South Yorkshire Police Authority has decided to pay the defence costs of former Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield and former Supt Bernard Murray. Both are due before Leeds magistrates on 7 December to face a private prosecution brought by relatives of the Liverpool fans who died.

Bernard Murray: Private prosecution

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Daines said it was standard practice under the circumstances and necessary to maintain morale among officers who have to make split-second crucial decisions.

He said: "South Yorkshire Police Authority is meeting the cost of legal advice for these long-retired police officers and will continue to do so until this case is concluded.

"Police have to make split-second decisions which could be crucial to people's lives and liberty. These can sometimes be a matter of life and death.

"The two men are fully entitled to have their costs met. It is necessary for the long-term morale of the force."

David Duckenfield: Defence costs paid by taxpayers

The private prosecutions follow the decision by Lord Justice Stuart Smith who headed a fresh inquiry which found there was no fresh evidence to justify action by the state.

The first allegation the two former officers face is that on 15 April 1989 the two defendants unlawfully killed John Alfred Anderson and James Gary Aspinall.

It is also alleged that the former senior officers "wilfully neglected to carry out a public duty on that day".

A spokesman for relatives of the disaster victims declined to comment.