Arsonist David Blagdon jailed for life for setting fire to a pair of church curtains could be home for Christmas.
His supporters hope he could be allowed home on a day-release basis.
Blagdon, 49, is in Wellingborough Prison, Northamptonshire, serving his 22nd year for setting fire to curtains at South Hinksey church.
His solicitor, Anita Bromley, is fighting for his transfer to Sudbury Open Prison in Derbyshire, where he will serve a year before being released.
"We are still dealing with the matter of why he isn't in Sudbury now and if the High Court agrees that the Home Office has been unreasonable, we could ask for a fresh decision," she said.
"I would not want to commit myself by saying he will be able to celebrate Christmas on the outside." Blagdon's fiance, Melanie Lancaster, 35, of Alfreton, Derbyshire, said: "Even if he was only out on a day-release basis at Christmas, that would still be wonderful."
Claims made against Blagdon by another prisoner are partly to blame for delaying his transfer.
In a letter to the Oxford Mail in May, Home Secretary Jack Straw said he did not have the power to free Blagdon, who was given a "discretionary" life sentence because it was deemed to be in his best interests.
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