A method and decoder is provided for decoding at least one current picture from a bitstream. An indicator value is decoded from the bitstream specifying at least one rule of a plurality of rules, the at least one rule applied to ordering of segments coded in the bitstream, wherein the segments are segments in a segment partition layout. A set of syntax elements from the bitstream specifying a segment partition layout is decoded. A segment partition layout based on the set of syntax elements is derived. The at least one current picture in the bitstream is decoded using the segment partition layout, wherein the ordering of the segments complies with the at least one rule specified. An encoder and corresponding method define the segment partition layout, selects the at least one rule from a set of rules, and encodes the segment partition layout and the indicator value into the bitstream.