Briefly explain public order law in the UK.

Public order law in the UK refers to the set of laws that govern public behavior and aim to maintain public order and prevent disorder. These laws apply to public places, such as streets, parks, and other public areas, and they seek to balance the right to free expression and assembly with the need to prevent harm and maintain order. The main piece of legislation that governs public order law in the UK is the Public Order Act 1986. This Act defines several offenses related to public order, such as causing intentional harassment, alarm, or distress, or using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behavior that could cause a breach of the peace. The Act also provides police officers with powers to maintain public order, such as the power to stop and search individuals or to disperse groups of people who are causing a disturbance. In addition, the Act allows the police to impose conditions on public assemblies or processions to prevent disorder or disruption. It's important to note that public order law in the UK is not intended to stifle free expression or peaceful protest. However, it does seek to balance the right to protest with the need to maintain public safety and order. Therefore, it is important for individuals and groups to understand their rights and obligations under public order law in order to express themselves lawfully and peacefully.

Explain public processions under English public law.

In English public law, a public procession refers to a group of people who move together in a public place for a specific purpose, such as a protest or a religious ceremony. The right to hold a public procession is protected under the Human Rights Act 1998, which upholds the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. However, the right to hold a public procession is not absolute, and there are certain legal requirements and restrictions that must be followed. For example, organizers of a public procession must give notice to the police at least six days in advance, and must provide certain information such as the route, the purpose of the procession, and the expected number of participants. The police also have the power to impose certain conditions on the procession, such as the time and route of the procession, to ensure public safety and prevent disruption. In some cases, the police may even ban a public procession if they believe it poses a serious risk to public safety or may result in disorder. Additionally, there are certain offenses that can be committed during a public procession, such as causing a breach of the peace, using threatening or abusive language, or obstructing the highway. Anyone who commits these offenses can be arrested and prosecuted. Overall, public processions are protected under English public law, but organizers and participants must comply with certain legal requirements and restrictions to ensure public safety and prevent disruption.