Yes, you have a right to protest in the UK. Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which are in UK law through the Human Rights Act 1998, protect freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Neither is absolute: the police can set conditions, and some protest tactics are crimes.
Key points
✓In England and Wales, organisers must give written notice of a public procession at least 6 clear days before it, unless that is not reasonably practicable.
✓In Scotland and Northern Ireland the notice period for a procession is 28 days.
✓Since 29 June 2026, police in England and Wales can set conditions on a protest near a place of worship if it may intimidate people going there.
✓Since 29 June 2026, it has been an offence in England and Wales to wear a face covering in a locality the police have designated for a protest, with defences for health, religion and work.
✓Breaking a condition the police have set is an offence for organisers and for people taking part.
Do you have a right to protest in the UK?
Yes. Article 10 says everyone has the right to freedom of expression. Article 11 says everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association with others. Both allow restrictions that are prescribed by law and necessary in a democratic society, for reasons such as public safety. Our ECHR guide sets out every article.
The Home Office says any conditions the police impose are subject to the Human Rights Act 1998 and must comply with Articles 10 and 11. It also says officers must demonstrate that any restrictions are necessary and proportionate.
Do you have to tell the police about a protest?
For a march or other procession, usually yes. The rule depends on where you are.
Where
Who you tell
How far ahead
England and Wales
A police station in the area where the procession will start
Not less than 6 clear days, or as soon as reasonably practicable
Scotland
The council and the chief constable
Not later than 28 days
Northern Ireland
The Police Service of Northern Ireland
Not less than 28 days, or as soon as reasonably practicable
In England and Wales the notice must give the date, the start time, the route and the name and address of an organiser. No notice is needed for a procession commonly or customarily held in the area, or for a funeral procession organised by a funeral director. Section 11 of the Public Order Act 1986 is written for processions and does not mention static assemblies. In Northern Ireland, a protest meeting related to a notified procession needs notice not later than 14 days before.
When can the police set conditions on a protest?
A senior officer can set conditions on a march or assembly if they reasonably believe it may result in any of these:
serious public disorder
serious damage to property
serious disruption to the life of the community
intimidation, where that is the organisers' purpose
in England and Wales, noise that may seriously disrupt an organisation nearby, or have a significant impact on people nearby
in England and Wales, intimidating people of reasonable firmness so they are deterred from going to a nearby place of worship
Conditions on a march can include its route. A protest by one person can also have conditions in England and Wales, for noise or near a place of worship. In Scotland, conditions on an assembly are limited to where it is held, how long it lasts and how many people attend.
Since 29 June 2026, officers in England and Wales must take into account cumulative disruption when deciding whether a protest may seriously disrupt community life, including other protests in the same area. The Home Office says there are no blanket limits on how often people can protest. Also since that date, a police officer authorised by a chief officer can set conditions without being at the scene.
What is illegal at a protest?
These offences apply in England and Wales.
Offence
In force since
Maximum penalty
Wearing something that conceals your identity in a locality the police have designated
29 June 2026
One month imprisonment, a £1,000 fine, or both
Having a flare or firework while taking part in a protest
29 June 2026
A £1,000 fine
Climbing on a specified memorial, whether or not a protest is taking place
29 June 2026
Three months' imprisonment, a £1,000 fine, or both
Protesting outside the home of a public office-holder to persuade them about their duties
29 June 2026
Six months in prison, a fine, or both
Locking on to a person, object or land in a way that causes serious disruption
3 May 2023
Six months in prison, a fine, or both
Designation is made by an officer of at least the rank of inspector, for up to 24 hours, and a superintendent can extend it for a further 24 hours. The public must be told about it. It is a defence to prove you wore the item for your health, for religious observance or for your work. The flare offence does not apply to a cultural or religious event where such articles are customarily used, and a reasonable excuse is a defence.
A court can make a serious disruption prevention order against someone aged 18 or over who is convicted of a protest-related offence and has committed another protest-related offence or breach of an injunction within the previous 5 years.
What are the limits on free speech in the UK?
Freedom of expression does not protect everything you can say or send. These offences can apply at a protest or online.
What the law covers
Law
Threatening or abusive words or behaviour, or signs, within the hearing or sight of someone likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress
Public Order Act 1986, section 5
Threatening, abusive or insulting words, behaviour or signs, intended to cause harassment, alarm or distress, and causing it
Public Order Act 1986, section 4A
Sending a message that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character over a public communications network
Communications Act 2003, section 127
Sending a message you know to be false, intending to cause non-trivial harm to a likely audience, with no reasonable excuse
Online Safety Act 2023, section 179
Sending a message that threatens death or serious harm, intending or reckless as to causing fear
Online Safety Act 2023, section 181
Wearing clothing or carrying an article in public that arouses reasonable suspicion you support a proscribed organisation
Terrorism Act 2000, section 13
Under sections 4A and 5 of the Public Order Act it is a defence to prove that your conduct was reasonable.
What can you do if the police restrict your protest?
Follow the condition while you get advice, because failing to comply is an offence for organisers and participants, unless it arose from circumstances beyond your control. The Home Office says decisions remain open to scrutiny and challenge. A public authority that breaches your Convention rights can face a claim, and our Human Rights Act guide explains how to bring one. Our guide to legal aid covers who can get help with the cost.
The Home Office says the cumulative disruption duty does not change how the police approach picketing, and that the law gives peaceful picketing specific exemptions from civil liability in defined circumstances.
Is protest law different in Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Yes. The offences added by the Crime and Policing Act 2026 and the Public Order Act 2023 extend to England and Wales only. The Human Rights Act rights apply across the UK. Scotland uses the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 for notice of processions. Northern Ireland uses the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998. Our rights guides cover your other legal rights.
Know Your Rights UK. "Right to Protest UK: Your Protest and Free Speech Rights." Know Your Rights UK, https://www.knowyourrightsuk.com/rights/protest-and-free-speech