Former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish pays tribute to Hillsborough victims' families following High Court ruling More than 40 families who had travelled to London for the hearing burst into applause when the judges granted an application brought by the Government's top law officer, Attorney General Dominic Grieve. Lord Judge, announcing that there were "good grounds" for the application, described what happened in 1989 as "catastrophic." Referring to the families, many of whom were weeping in court, he said there had been a "profound, almost palpable belief that justice has not been done and that it cannot be done without and until the full truth is revealed." He said: "We must record our admiration and respect for their determined search for the truth about the circumstances of the disaster and why and how it had occurred, which - despite disappointments and setbacks - has continued for nearly quarter of a century." When giving the ruling, Lord Judge expressed regret that the process the families had gone through over the years since the disaster had been "so unbearingly dispiriting and prolonged." The Lord Chancellor Chris Grayling said: "The victims' families and survivors of the Hillsborough tragedy have seen their cause take another important step forward today. I will now do everything I can to help to get new inquests established quickly. I have received a request from the Doncaster and Bradford coroners for a judge to be appointed to conduct these inquests and I am today asking the Lord Chief Justice to make a recommendation to me on suitable candidates as soon as possible. Trevor Hicks, chair of Hillsborough Family Support Group, spoke of his delight at the decision to quash the inquest verdicts. Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice, he said: "Justice is on its way. Everything we've said has been proven to be correct. Michelle Carlile, 44, clutching a photograph of her brother Paul, 19, who died at Hillsborough, said of today's decision: "It is bitter-sweet. We have known the truth for 23 years. Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said after the decision: "This is a watershed moment on the road to justice for the families of the 96, and I share their overwhelming relief that, after 23 very painful years, the inquest verdicts have been quashed. It is the only right and proper decision that the High Court could make in the wake of the overwhelming and compelling evidence uncovered by the Hillsborough Independent Panel. We must all keep up the pressure that has driven the momentum over the last few months to make sure that the families get the justice they deserve. I also welcome the new police investigation, which we all hope will result in those that played a role in causing the disaster and the monumental cover-up are brought to account. Lord Judge said each of those who died in the tragedy was a "helpless victim of this terrible event." He ruled that it was in the interests of justice to hold a fresh inquest. He said the "interests of justice must be served" - "however distressing the truth will be brought to light." The main plank of the Attorney General's application related to crucial new medical evidence. Steve Rotheram MP, Labour MP for Liverpool Walton, added that the families had been an "inspiration" for their "dignified " campaign. "This verdict marks the beginning of the end of the Hillsborough disaster," he said. At long last the families have achieved their ultimate goal which is to change the verdict on the death certificates. The families have been an inspiration to Britain as they have fought their 23-year dignified campaign. Now that the fresh inquests have been ordered, it would be wrong for the families to have to pay for a second inquest. They should not have to bear the financial penalty of the establishment's mistakes in 1989. The Chancellor should also take this opportunity to waive the VAT on the Justice Collective Hillsborough tribute single so that every single penny raised can support the families in the legal costs in the fight for justice.