Explanatory note

This Order facilitates the use of electronic communications for the notification of proposed public processions and related protests under the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (the “1998 Act”) where certain conditions are met.

Articles 2 and 3 amend sections 6 and 7 of the 1998 Act to allow notices of proposed processions and protests to be sent by permitted electronic means and to be signed by a permitted electronic signature.

Article 4 inserts new section 7A into the 1998 Act. That section provides that sending notice by “permitted electronic means” means sending it by a form of electronic communication specified in a direction given by the Secretary of State and in accordance with requirements specified in such a direction. “Permitted electronic signature” means an electronic signature that complies with such conditions or requirements as are specified in a direction of the Secretary of State.

Articles 5 and 6 amend the Public Order (Prescribed Forms) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 and the Public Order (Prescribed Forms) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 to ensure that the forms prescribed for the submission of a notice can be used for the purpose of sending the notice by permitted electronic means.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as the impact on the private or voluntary sectors is minimal.