The release of London black cab rapist John Worboys has been put on hold after victims won the first step in a High Court legal challenge.
Lawyer Harriet Wistrich said an “urgent application” to the court had been made on behalf of two of his victims for a stay of his release.
A further permission hearing is pending, she said.
It comes after the Parole Board provoked a furore when it decided Worboys could be released after serving a decade behind bars.
In statement, Wistrich said: "Update - we have been granted a stay on his release until an oral application between February 6-8."
Despite being convicted of 19 offences against 12 women, it is feared Worboys may have more than 100 victims.
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Ms Wistrich said the papers were lodged on Thursday "because of the urgency" of the situation in trying to stop someone's pending release from prison.
They were dealt with on Friday by Mr Justice Supperstone.
A half-day hearing is set to be fixed between February 6-8 in which Worboys can have a lawyer make representations on his behalf, according to Ms Wistrich.
After the development, she said: "Obviously it is a first stage. You can not read too much into it but it is obviously good that we have got through the first hurdle.
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"Given that somebody's liberty is at stake I think that the court would have to proceed quickly. We are arguing that he should be in prison after the Parole Board has said that he should be released."
She said Worboys could "potentially" have a claim for damages if the victims fail in their legal battle.
Mr Khan's decision to begin a legal challenge came after Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor David Gauke ruled out a judicial review.
Additional reporting from the Press Association.