1. An apparatus, comprising: an encoder for encoding at least one syntax data element related to at least two partitions of at least a portion of a picture, wherein the at least one syntax element is encoded within a multi-pass syntax structure, the at least one syntax element belonging to a given class of data, and said encoder encodes the at least one syntax data element with respect to all partitions of at least the portion of the picture prior to encoding a next class of data, wherein later coded data classes, including the next class, have at least one of an explicit coding and an implicit coding of at least one of a casual dependency and a non-casual dependency with respect to earlier coded data classes coded earlier than the next class.