Right to Protest
If your right to protest has been restricted or unlawfully interfered with by the police, DPP Law’s specialist solicitors can help you defend your freedoms and take legal action.
The ability to stand up for your beliefs is one of several human rights that were laid down by the United Nations in the period following the Second World War. However, there continue to be occasions where law enforcers have failed significantly to uphold this particular right to protest, resulting in significant emotional and sometimes physical injury.
DPP Law can help you put a case together if you have exercised your right to protest and been met by violence or seemingly repressive tactics by the police, and will assist you in your fight for compensation every step of the way.
You may receive compensation for having your right to protest denied by the police if you have followed the correct procedure. The officers involved may also be disciplined.
Denial of the right to protest doesn’t necessarily need to take the form of violence or physical manhandling. “Kettling” is a technique that has been seen more and more recently. It involves the holding of protestors in unsuitable areas, often too small or confined to be safe.
Justice for Student Protestors and Assault Victims
In 2010, student protestors in London were held by police for up to nine hours in a small area by the Thames, resulting in crushing injuries and the threat of being forced into the icy river. This was considered a denial of the right to peaceful protest, and DPP Law specialises in bringing cases like this one before the courts to see justice done.
DPP solicitor Iain Gould helped a Liverpool woman achieve compensation after being injured by police officers who assaulted her during a protest in Manchester in 2008.
Can you protest on public property?
Yes, although any protest is subject to the legal powers invested in senior police officers to restrict the numbers taking part in the protest as well as its location and duration.
Can you protest without a permit?
Yes, but usually only if there is no march involved and no road traffic or public walkways will be affected. It’s worth contacting your local police if you’re not sure and you are planning a lawful protest.
How do you get a protest permit?
You should contact your local council to acquire a protest permit. It’s also highly recommended to let the police know about the time, date and location of your protest.
As your legal representatives and advisors, DPP Law can offer you:
- Trustworthy 24-hour specialist legal advice, counsel and support
- More than 30 years of experience
- Clarity and transparency throughout
No one should impede your right to peacefully protest for something you believe in. If you feel that right has been unlawfully breached, get in touch with DPP Law today to discuss with us how we can go about defending the right to protest against injustice on your behalf.
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FAQs
You do not usually need permission to organise a protest, but you must give written notice to the police if you are organising a march (a moving protest). The law generally requires at least 6 days’ notice—or as much notice as reasonably possible if that isn’t feasible.
If the police stop or question you, you usually do not have to answer most questions. You must only give your name and address if you are being arrested or if the police reasonably suspect you of committing certain offences.
Yes, but only in specific circumstances. The police can stop and search you if they have:
- Reasonable grounds to suspect you’re carrying prohibited items (e.g., weapons), or
- Authorisation for a Section 60 search in the area, which does not require suspicion.
During a search:
- The officer must identify themselves (name, station, and reason for the search).
- You do not have to give your personal details unless arrested.
- You should be told whether you are being detained.
A peaceful protest is one that does not involve violence, threats of violence, or serious criminal damage.
You can still be part of a peaceful protest even if:
- Roads are blocked
- Noise is made
- The protest causes some disruption
However, actions that cause serious public disorder, serious damage, or serious disruption to key infrastructure may lead the police to impose conditions or make arrests.
Yes. In the UK, you have the legal right to film or photograph police officers in public places, including at protests.
The police cannot make you delete footage or stop you from recording, as long as you are not obstructing their work.
Filming can be an important way to document events, but you should remain at a safe distance and comply with any lawful instructions relating to safety or crowd control.