STAGES OF THE

PROCESS

ORGANISATION

AND FUNCTIONING

STAGE 1

MEDIATION

STAGE 2

PROCEEDINGS

STAGE 3

ASSESSMENT

STAGE 4

COMPLIANCE

NOTIFICATIONS

Beginning of Stage 1

Loyal Orders must notify before 1^st October of each year what parades they wish to take place during the following year

Beginning of Stage 3

Residents groups can notify a protest-related parade fourteen days after a Determination has been issued by the Rights Panel for Parades and Processions

BODIES IN

CHARGE

Parades Facilitation

Agency

Rights Panel for Parades and Protests

Police Services of Northern Ireland

Compliance Branch of the Rights Panel for Parades and Protests

FUNCTIONS

To intensify mediation and facilitate local arrangement over an extended period of time, commencing on October 1 of each year

To organise a hearing and issue Determinations on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and the rights and freedoms of others

To assess the situation and make a decision in the interests of national security or public safety or for the prevention of disorder or crime

To receive reports from monitors and police immediately after the parade has taken place in respect of which a Determination has been issued; and state whether there has been a failure to comply with a Determination

OUTCOME

Agreement between Loyal Orders and Residents Groups

If no agreement, good faith certificate required to enable the Loyal Orders to go to Stage 2

Determination on parade with or without restrictions relating to the right to freedom of peaceful assembly

Decision with or without new restrictions imposed on the parade on the grounds of public safety or prevention of disorder

Warning by the Compliance Branch and/or agreement with parade organiser to prevent future infringement of Determination

Chairman of Rights Panel can arrange hearing and possibly impose a sanction

PRINCIPLE

Not Negotiable

Should not have to be defended

Not negated by violent / non-violent protests