What is Martyn's Law?

Martyn's Law is the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, a UK statute requiring publicly accessible premises to take "reasonably practicable" steps to reduce the risk of harm from a terrorist attack. It is also referred to as the Protect Duty (the original Bill name during drafting). The Act was named after Martyn Hett, killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, after a seven-year campaign led by his mother Figen Murray, OBE.

The legislation received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. The Home Office published the Section 27 statutory guidance on 15 April 2026, a 129-page main document plus three supplementary papers covering capacity calculation, illustrative scope examples and further resources. Commencement is currently scheduled for Spring 2027 (likely April 2027), giving in-scope premises roughly twelve months from publication of the guidance to be ready.

The Act creates two tiers based on capacity. Standard tier premises (200 to 799 capacity) must put public protection procedures in place across four named areas: evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication. Enhanced tier premises (800 capacity and above) carry additional duties including a documented risk assessment, a designated responsible person, notification to the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and four formal categories of public protection measures (monitoring, movement, physical safety and security, security of information). Senior individuals at enhanced-tier organisations face personal criminal liability where breaches involve consent, connivance or neglect.

Penalties land at up to £10,000 for standard tier breaches and the greater of £18m or 5% of worldwide revenue for enhanced tier, with daily penalties for continuing breaches and restriction notices that can prevent a venue opening or an event proceeding. Strive AV's Martyn's Law compliance services and complete guide cover scope determination, tier mapping and the technology side of the duty.

Quick reference: Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025; Royal Assent 3 April 2025; Section 27 guidance 15 April 2026; Spring 2027 commencement; standard tier 200-799 capacity (£10k penalties), enhanced tier 800+ capacity (£18m or 5% global revenue).