Update on Martyn’s Law
26th March 2026
Important news for anyone who runs premises or organises events.
Martyn’s Law is the new legislation intended to ‘ensure the public are better protected from terrorism, by requiring certain public premises and events to be prepared and ready to keep people safe in the event of an attack.’
The legislation was passed in April 2025 and we’re now in a lead-in period (of at least two years) before the legal requirements come into force. What you’ll have to do depends on how many people it is ‘reasonable to expect… may be present at least occasionally’ – it’s not about the maximum number of people your venue can hold. How to assess a 'reasonable figure' for your attendance
‘Standard Tier’ premises are where you expect 200-799 people to be present at the same time and the guidance says what’s required will be, ‘Simple, low-cost activities with costs relating primarily to time spent. There is no requirement to put in place physical measures.’ More information about standard tier
‘Enhanced Tier’ requirements are for premises and events where 800+ people are expected to be there at the same time. These requirements are more in-depth. More information about enhanced tier
For premises below the standard tier, i.e. you don’t expect 200+ people to ever be there at the same time, the legal requirements won’t apply to you. However, there may be good practice guidance in due course and external bodies like insurance companies and grant givers could impose their own conditions. More updates as we get them.
No action is needed yet but it’s good to plan ahead. We’ll share further information as it’s released.
Information and Guidance
Visit ProtectUK for more information and to view Home Office materials about the Act, including:
- Summary leaflet
- Single page infographics for Premises and Events (simple flow charts to see whether your organisation is in scope)
- Myth buster
- Top tips
- Short videos
Note: Premises and events do not need to spend money on consultants to be compliant with the legislative requirements. The Government’s intent is that those responsible for premises and events in scope can comply with the Act without needing to buy specialist services. The Home Office will publish guidance during the implementation period, before the Act comes into force. This guidance will be self-explanatory and easy to follow, requiring no particular expertise nor the use of third-party products or services offered by the private sector.