Fox hunting may carry on in England and Wales beyond next year’s expected general election.

The attorney general, Lord Goldsmith, has reportedly agreed to not oppose any application from the Countryside Alliance for an injunction postponing implementation of the hunting ban before the courts have ruled on its legality.

The law was forced through parliament last month and is due to come into force on February 18.

Pro-hunt campaigners are threatening a campaign of mass civil disobedience which could potentially disrupt the government’s plans for the election.

The injunction would allow hunting to continue for several months or possibly even a year.

Rural affairs minister Alun Michael said "a deal has not been done".

He said: "It's a question of being relaxed about what the court decides.

"The court is the correct place where the Countryside Alliance has every right to make its challenge and we're happy for them to be able to make that challenge in the court.

"We're confident that the challenge will not succeed, that we have good law and that in the fullness of time all law-abiding people will obey that law."

The alliance is currently challenging the legitimacy of the 1949 Parliament Act, which was invoked in order for the Hunting Bill to finally pass.

The case will be heard by the High Court on January 25.

If judges rule against the campaigners it is expected to apply for an immediate injunction delaying implementation of the law until the legal appeals process has been concluded.

A second court challenge on the grounds that it breaches human rights legislation is also expected early in the new year.