Crime and justice correspondent, BBC News NIPublished1 minute agoThe Drumcree parading dispute is back in front of judges on Monday, with Portadown Orangemen and Garvaghy Road residents involved in separate court cases.
It follows a decision on Friday by the Secretary of State, Sir Chris Bryant, to ban the march, after receiving police advice.
While the move has eased the immediate security situation, the issue remains unresolved.
Both sides have sought court interventions from differing perspectives.
What is the Garvaghy Road dispute all about?
Portadown Orangemen are seeking permission to challenge the secretary of state’s decision to ban the parade on a number of grounds.
They include the police assessment of the situation.
An emergency hearing took place at Belfast High Court on Saturday, but it was adjourned until Monday.
The Court of Appeal is also set to rule on Monday whether the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition can contest the original Parades Commission determination allowing the parade.
Although Sir Chris subsequently banned it, he did not “strike down” the commission’s ruling, which still stands.
The court heard arguments in the case last week.
A lawyer for the residents’ group claimed the commission’s decision was flawed over how it weighed up the potential for disorder if the parade was permitted.
The parade, by 35 members of Portadown District Orange Lodge, was meant to have gone ahead on 27 September.
However, an unlawful protest blocked the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road and a two-week stand-off developed.
On Friday, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher urged the Secretary of State to intervene.
Boutcher said “proportionate options” to police the parade had been “exhausted” and any operation to clear the route would have “catastrophic” consequences.
Policing the stand-off has cost around £5m, largely due to officer overtime.
Four key takeaways from the Drumcree dispute so far
Drumcree parade ban was in ‘best interests of peace’, says Bryant