National Highways has made nine applications to the High Court for contempt of court against Insulate Britain activists for breaching injunctions by 'dangerously' blocking the M25 during their protests.
The court will need to decide whether members of the environmental campaign group breached orders that were made earlier this month.
Protesters could face fines and even jail time if found to be in breach.
It comes as Insulate Britain today warned that they will restart their road blockade protests next week, causing misery for families on half-term holidays.
The group said it would 'rise up against tyranny' in response to the Government's Net Zero reports which it said 'completely fail to meet the challenges we now face'.
Insulate Britain had previously said on October 14 that it was pausing its protests - which have brought misery to motorists across London - until Monday, October 25.
Insulate Britain activists are removed from an M25 roundabout near Heathrow last month
A spokesperson for National Highways said: 'National Highways is now taking the first group of activists from Insulate Britain to court, for breaching injunctions by blocking the M25.
'We will continue working with the police to bring those who carried out dangerous and disruptive action to justice.
'Those activists will now receive a court summons and could face imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
'Timings are now in the hands of the court but we expect hearings will take place as soon as possible.'
National Highways confirmed that so far nine applications for committal have been made to the High Court.
Members of Insulate Britain were previously made subject to three other injunctions granted to National Highways, banning demonstrations on the M25, around the Port of Dover and on major roads around London.
On Tuesday, a judge at the Royal Courts of Justice extended an injunction granted to Transport for London (TfL) against Insulate Britain.
TfL was granted a civil banning order