An energetically unfavourable situation can develop when coherent particles are bypassed by migrating grain boundaries. This is due to the precipitates being exposed to incoherent interfaces in the new matrix. In this work, the rotation of precipitate particles to low energy, coherent orientations in the new matrix is shown to be one of several possible responses to this situation. A physical and kinetic model for the rotation is put forward and the results of calculations of rotation rate presented. It is shown that particle rotation is controlled by interfacial diffusion and depends upon alloy composition, time, temperature and particle size and shape. The possibility of particle rotation occurring during particle/boundary contact is also discussed. This is shown to depend upon the nature of the boundary type. Generally, boundaries moving under large driving pressures with high velocities (e.g. phase transformation interfaces), are less likely to allow rotation during particle/boundary contact than less mobile boundaries such as those in grain growth and recrystallization. Experimental results, from SAD and TEM of a Ti stabilized austenitic stainless steel containing a dispersion of coherent TiC precipitates is also presented and supports the particle rotation model