Abstract: A method and device for handling fetch and store requests in a data processing system is provided. A fetch and store buffer comprises a store queue, a fetch queue, a register, a comparator, and a controller. The store queue and the fetch queue receive requests from one or more execution units. When the fetch queue receives a fetch request from an execution unit, it sets a mark in a field associated with the request indicating the store queue entries present at the time the fetch request is entered, and further, removing a mark from the field when the associated store queue entry is drained. The controller gates a copy of the fetch request in the fetch queue into the memory unit address register and to the memory unit, when the memory unit is ready to accept a request. The comparator determines if there is a dependency between the gated request in the memory unit address register and any store queue entries marked in the gated request's field.