Martyn's Law guides and free tools. In plain English.
What the law asks, what it doesn't, and how to get ready, written for the volunteers and managers who run the building. Plus free tools that run on the page and send nothing.
Free tools that send nothing
Free scope check
Four questions tell you whether Martyn's Law applies to your venue, and which tier. Print the result for your committee.
Open the toolBusiest day calculator
List your big occasions, count visitors, staff and volunteers, and find your busiest against 200 and 800.
Open the toolReadiness check
Eleven yes or not yet questions give you a to-do list of what's left, to print for your committee.
Open the tool
Guides in plain English
What is Martyn's Law?
Martyn's Law explained for village halls, places of worship, pubs and clubs: who it applies to, the two tiers, what the standard tier asks, and when it starts.
Read the guideMartyn's Law checklist
A step-by-step Martyn's Law checklist for halls, places of worship, pubs and clubs: who's responsible, the four plans, briefing people, and reviews.
Read the guideWhat is invacuation?
Invacuation means bringing people inside, or to a safer place within your building, when the danger is outside. What it means for Martyn's Law, with an example.
Read the guideYour fire risk assessment
Your fire risk assessment is a head start for Martyn's Law. What you can reuse, where a plan for an attack is different, and how to keep the two from clashing.
Read the guideHelping everyone out
How to make your four Martyn's Law plans work for everyone: disabled and older people, young children, and people who can't hear or see a warning.
Read the guideThe responsible person
The responsible person is whoever controls the building, usually the committee, trust, club or company that runs it. Who it is, and what it has to do.
Read the guideDo we need training?
No course is required by law. What Martyn's Law asks instead: the people with a role know your plans. Plus the free courses, and how short briefings fit in.
Read the guidePenalties and fines
Up to £10,000 for a standard tier venue, and £500 a day if a notice is ignored. Not in force yet. What the SIA can do, and how it says it will start: with help.
Read the guideWhen it starts
Martyn's Law became law in April 2025, but its duties aren't in force yet. They're expected from spring 2027. The dates so far, what's next, and what to do now.
Read the guideEnhanced tier and events
At 800 or more people, Martyn's Law asks for much more. What the enhanced tier and qualifying events are, who they apply to, and where to get specialist help.
Read the guideGlossary
Responsible person, invacuation, standard tier, the SIA: every term in plain English.
Read the guide
Downloads to print or share
Quick guide (PDF)
The whole law on two pages, with a step-by-step list to tick off. Read it here or download the PDF.
Read and downloadCommittee pack (PDF)
Two pages for your committee or trustees: what the law asks, your scope result, six decisions and draft minute wording.
Read and downloadPlan templates (PDF)
Blank templates for the four plans, with the questions to answer for your building, a front page and a briefing record.
Read and downloadSoftware questions (PDF)
Twelve questions to ask any supplier, on one sheet with space to compare up to three tools at your next meeting.
Read and downloadSample evidence pack
Real files from hailo for a made-up cricket club: the evidence pack, the door poster and the four plan summaries.
Read and download
Keep up to date as the law starts
What's changed
Every update from the Home Office, the SIA and Parliament, newest first, with what it means for you. Follow it by RSS.
Take a lookKey dates calendar
The expected dates, and a yearly reminder to review your plans, in Google, Outlook or Apple calendars.
Add to your calendarBlog
Longer pieces on what the law asks, from counting to 200 to what the standard tier really means.
Take a look