Operational resource for venue teams
Martyn’s Law Compliance Checklist for UK Venues
Use this checklist to organise practical preparation for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, commonly called Martyn’s Law. It is not a legal determination of scope or compliance: the Responsible Person should apply the current official guidance to the specific venue or event.
1. Establish whether the Act may apply
- Identify the use of the premises and whether it is one of the uses described in Schedule 1 of the Act.
- Record the number of people reasonably expected to be present at the same time at busy times, including staff.
- Check whether an exclusion could apply and whether the venue is a qualifying premises rather than merely an event location.
- For a public event, also check the expected attendance, entry conditions and whether the premises are already enhanced-tier premises.
2. Identify the Responsible Person
Document who controls the premises or event for the relevant use. Where the Responsible Person is an organisation and the enhanced tier or a qualifying event is involved, identify the relevant senior individual. The statutory duty remains with the Responsible Person; external support does not transfer it.
3. Confirm the likely tier
| Likely category | Attendance guide | Preparation focus |
|---|---|---|
| Standard tier premises | Usually 200–799 individuals at the same time | Notification and appropriate public protection procedures, so far as reasonably practicable. |
| Enhanced tier premises | Usually 800 or more individuals at the same time | Standard-tier duties plus appropriate public protection measures and documented information for the regulator. |
| Qualifying event | Usually 800 or more individuals, with public access and entry checks | Enhanced-tier requirements, subject to the statutory event criteria. |
These are an orientation aid, not a substitute for the detailed statutory criteria, special cases or exclusions.
4. Make the four procedures workable
The Act requires the Responsible Person to consider appropriate public protection procedures. For the circumstances of the venue or event, record how teams would respond to:
- Evacuation: moving people away from danger.
- Invacuation: moving people to a safer part of the premises.
- Lockdown: securing the location to prevent individuals entering or leaving.
- Communication: providing clear information to people at the venue or event.
5. Prepare the people, records and review cycle
- Assign practical roles and escalation routes for venue staff, contractors and security personnel.
- Record how relevant staff are briefed, trained and refreshed on the procedures.
- Keep the working documents accessible to the people who need them, without publishing sensitive operational information unnecessarily.
- Set review points for operational changes, higher-attendance dates, lessons from exercises and changes to official guidance.
6. For enhanced-tier premises and qualifying events, document measures as well as procedures
Enhanced-tier duties extend to proportionate public protection measures that reduce vulnerability and risk of physical harm. Official guidance describes four areas to consider: monitoring, movement, physical security and security of information. Record the measures considered, the basis for decisions and how they relate to the venue or event’s specific circumstances.
How SSS can support operational preparation
SSS can support agreed operational planning, security delivery, procedure tracking, training records and client visibility through the SSS Application. That support can make records and responsibilities easier to manage, but it is not a legal certification service and does not determine whether a venue or event is in scope.
Discuss operational readiness with SSS
Martyn’s Law compliance checklist FAQs
Is Martyn’s Law already in force?
The Act received Royal Assent in April 2025, but the substantive duties have not yet commenced. The SIA currently expects commencement in spring 2027 and will confirm the exact date ahead of time.
Do standard-tier premises have to buy specific security equipment?
Not necessarily. Official guidance explains that standard-tier requirements focus on appropriate procedures and do not create a general requirement to install particular physical security measures.
Can a security supplier certify that a venue is legally compliant?
No. The Responsible Person retains the statutory duty. A supplier can support practical preparation, but legal scope and compliance decisions should be made using current official guidance and, where needed, appropriate independent advice.