Occupy Bristol protesters have been told by a judge they must leave the church-owned land they have occupied since October.
As a result a small number of protesters refused to leave the county court room for several hours.
They said they did not recognise the judgment, claiming that due process had not taken place.
Occupy Bristol is the the largest tented demonstration outside London.
The land - which the campaigners occupied by setting up a number of tents - is owned by Bristol Cathedral and maintained by Bristol City Council.
The legal action was brought jointly by the Dean of Bristol Cathedral, the Very Rev David Hoyle, and the council.
The judge at Bristol County Court said the protesters, who have been camped on College Green since 15 October, should be made to leave.
His honour Judge Denyer QC ordered "the claimants do recover possession of the land at College Green and the defendants do give possession forthwith".
In a statement the council said: "Now the court has found in our favour, we appeal again to those in occupation now to respect the order of the court and leave College Green under their own steam and avoid the use of bailiffs."
The protesters are part of an international movement calling for a fairer society and have set up a temporary shelter and about 30 tents since they first moved to the site.
The cathedral green - which is usually a recreational space used by the city's residents - has since turned into a muddy pond.
The Dean said he wanted the green to be restored to an open public space.
Six protesters - who entered court room five at 10am for the hearing - eventually left at 2.45pm.