Martyn's Law quick guide
Facts checked 2 November 2026
What it is
Martyn's Law is the common name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. It asks venues where 200 or more people can gather to be ready to keep people safe if there's an attack: to have simple plans, and for the people who run events to know them.
Does it apply to you?
It applies to your venue if all of these are true:
- It's a building, or part of one.
- It's used for one of the purposes the Act lists, such as worship, entertainment, food and drink, sport or community events.
- 200 or more people can reasonably be expected there at the same time, counting staff and volunteers. Count your busiest occasion, not an ordinary day.
200 to 799 people
The standard tier. This covers most village halls, places of worship, pubs and clubhouses. The maximum penalty is £10,000.
800 or more people
The enhanced tier, with extra duties such as security measures and a named senior person. Get specialist advice.
Places of worship, schools and childcare premises stay in the standard tier however many people come. Not sure? The free scope check at gethailo.co.uk/check tells you in about 2 minutes.
The four plans
The standard tier asks for four simple plans, called procedures, written for your own building:
Get everyone out (evacuation)
How you move people out of the building, or part of it, quickly and safely.
Bring everyone in (invacuation)
How you bring people inside, or to a safer room, when outside is the danger.
Lock down (lockdown)
How you stop people getting in or out, for example by locking doors.
Keep people informed (communication)
How you tell people what's happening and what to do: stay put, or move away.
Keep private details private. Where keys are kept and where people shelter should go only to the people who need them, never on a noticeboard.
What it doesn't ask
The standard tier doesn't ask for security staff, bag searches, CCTV or new equipment, building work or a training course.
Hirers
When you hire out your building, you stay the responsible person. The Home Office's guidance says to explain to each hirer what's expected of them, and to be able to show the SIA that you did.
What you need to do, step by step
1. Count your busiest occasion and check you're in scope.
How long: About 2 minutes with the free scope check.
2. Agree who the responsible person is.
Who: Usually the committee, trustees, club or company that runs the building.
3. Write your four plans, for your own building, in words your volunteers would use.
How long: About 9 hours of managers' time, in the Home Office's estimate.
4. Tell the SIA (the regulator) about the venue and the responsible person, once its service opens.
Who: The responsible person.
5. Brief volunteers, staff and hirers on their part, and keep a record of who you've briefed and when.
How long: About 15 minutes for each person, in the Home Office's estimate.
6. Review once a year, and whenever the building, your people or the way you use it changes.
How long: About 4.5 hours a year, in the Home Office's estimate. Not required by the Act, but the Home Office says it's good practice.
Key dates
- 3 April 2025
- Becomes law. The Act receives Royal Assent.
- 15 April 2026
- Guidance published. The Home Office publishes its statutory guidance.
- Early 2027
- SIA templates. The SIA is expected to publish its templates and scope tool.
- Spring 2027
- Duties expected to start. At least 24 months after Royal Assent, once regulations bring them in.
Time to get ready. Nothing is required by law yet. The Home Office encourages venues to start thinking about what the law asks.
Check your venue free
Scan the code or go to gethailo.co.uk/check. hailo writes your four plans for your building, briefs your volunteers, staff and hirers by link, and keeps the record.
Check your venue now