This Order repeals and re-enacts with amendments the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.

The principal amendments are to alter the length of advance notice to be given of a public procession, to add to the matters to be notified, to widen the grounds on which conditions may be imposed by the police on public processions and on which the Secretary of State may prohibit public processions and open-air public meetings and to confer on the police new powers to impose conditions on open-air public meetings.

The Order also amends the law on incitement to hatred and repeals the Flags and Emblems (Display) Act (Northern Ireland) 1954.