Key Pieces of Legislation affecting Organised Events in the Countryside
There is a plethora of legislation that might be relevant to an event. These are listed below.
More recent legislation can be found on the Office of Public Sector Information website. Click here to open http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/about_legislation.htm in a new window
General
- Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations 1996 and 2004
- Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003
- Commons Act 2006
- Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005
- Criminal Damage Act 1971
- Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005
- Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953
- Environmental Protection Act 1990
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Occupiers’ Liability Acts 1957 and 1984
- Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. SI 1995:3163
Land-based
- Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979
- Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 (s20)
- Countryside Act 1968
- Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (and related regulations)
- Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (Schedule 2)
- Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994
- Highways Act 1980
- Hunting Act 2004
- National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949
- Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006
- Police Reform Act 2002 (s59)
- Removal of Obstructions from Highways Regulations 2004 (different regulations for England and Wales)
- Rights of Way Act 1990
- Road Traffic Act 1988
- Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
- Vehicular Access Across Common and Other Land Regulations (different regulations for England and Wales)
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Air-based
- Air Navigation Order 2000 (Statutory Instrument No 2000/1562)
- CAA airworthiness regulations
- Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (Schedule 2)
- Local byelaws
- Rules of the Air Regulations 1996 (Statutory Instrument No 1996/1393).
Water-based
- Coastal Protection Act 1949 (s30)
- Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009
- River Navigation Acts
- Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975
- Water Resources Act 1991

Click here for the Welsh translation
