The first court hearing in the prosecution of Lord Janner over child abuse allegations is due to begin today.

Lawyers for the former Board of Deputies president were expected to tell a judge at Westminster Magistrates Court that the peer is not fit to stand trial.

The 86-year-old suffers from severe dementia, and the court is likely to recommend that a "trial of the facts" should take place. This would not require Lord Janner to attend court, but would see alleged victims give evidence.

A jury could decide only if the defendant committed particular acts and there would be no "guilty" or "not guilty" verdict. Should the jury find that he carried out the acts, the judge could impose a hospital order, a supervision order or an absolute discharge.

Lord Janner is expected to be accused of almost two dozen allegations of historical sexual abuse against nine children over a 20-year period.

He will be represented by Jae Carwardine from London firm Russell-Cooke. His family has said he is "entirely innocent", and the peer denies any wrongdoing.