Advance notice of a public procession (Public Order Act 1986 s.11)
Hana Kowalski is organising a march through the centre of Leeds on Saturday 21 November 2026 to publicise a campaign to save a local hospital. It is not a procession commonly or customarily held in the area, and it is not a funeral procession. It is reasonably practicable to give advance notice. She asks her solicitor what notice she must give.
Which of the following best describes the notice requirement?
Choose one answer to see the reasoning.
Worked answer
Correct answer D: Written notice of the date, start time, route and an organiser's name and address must reach a police station in the area where it starts at least 6 clear days before, even if sent by recorded delivery.
THE RULE TO REMEMBER
Written notice of a campaigning procession must be delivered to a police station in the starting area at least 6 clear days ahead, unless not reasonably practicable; posting does not count as delivery.
Advance notice of a public procession (Public Order Act 1986 s.11)
Section 11(1) of the Public Order Act 1986 requires written notice of a proposal to hold a public procession intended to publicise a cause or campaign, unless it is not reasonably practicable to give any advance notice. The exceptions in s.11(2) for customary processions and funeral processions do not apply. The notice must specify the date, the intended start time, the proposed route and the name and address of the person (or one of the persons) proposing to organise it (s.11(3)). It must be delivered to a police station in the police area in which the procession will start (s.11(4)). If delivered not less than 6 clear days before the procession, it may be delivered by recorded delivery post, but the deemed-service rule in s.7 of the Interpretation Act 1978 does not apply (s.11(5)); otherwise it must be delivered by hand not less than 6 clear days before (s.11(6)). Failure is a summary offence by the organisers (s.11(7)).
Why A is wrong: Notice goes to a police station, not the council, and the period is 6 clear days, not 28 days.
Why B is wrong: Notice must be in writing, delivered to a police station, and given at least 6 clear days before.
Why C is wrong: Section 11 applies to processions to publicise a cause or campaign whether or not they are peaceful; the exemptions do not cover this march.
Why E is wrong: Only recorded delivery post may be used, and s.11(5) disapplies deemed delivery on posting, so the notice must actually arrive in time.
A little more practice done.
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