Martyn's Law FAQs

Martyn’s Law is currently progressing through Parliament. After receiving Royal Assent, there will be a minimum 24-month implementation period before its provisions become enforceable.

Therefore, the law is unlikely to come into effect until at least 2027.

This is statutory guidance for England and Wales which came into force in December 2023 to support compliance with the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (CTSA).

The CTSA places a duty on particular authorities to prevent terrorism by, for example, identifying those who are vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism.

The main requirement of Martyn’s Law is for organisations to have measures in place that ‘as far as reasonably practicable’ reduce the risk of physical harm to people who are at their premises during a terrorist attack.

The UK’s Counter Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST) is a comprehensive approach to countering terrorism. It encompasses four key pillars: Pursue, Prevent, Protect and Prepare. Together these elements form a multi-faceted strategy to safeguard national security.

Draft legislation indicates that schools with a public capacity of more than 100 people will fall under Standard Tier requirements.

The Enhanced Tier of Martyn’s Law applies to premises and events with a capacity of 800 people or more.

A publicly accessible location (PLA) is any place that is accessible to the public regardless of whether they have paid an entrance fee.

Martyn’s Law (Protect Duty), also known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, is proposed UK legislation requiring certain public venues and events to implement measures to improve preparedness for terrorist attacks.

It mandates risk assessments, staff training, and security plans proportionate to the venue’s size and capacity. It is named after Martyn Hett, who was killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.

The qualifying activities under Martyn’s Law (Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill) refer to activities where the public has access to a venue or premises. These activities include:

• Entertainment and leisure – such as concerts, theatres, and cinemas.
• Retail – including shopping centres, retail stores, and markets.
• Food and drink – restaurants, pubs, and cafes.
• Sports – stadiums, arenas, and sporting events.
• Education – schools, colleges, and universities.
• Health – hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities.
• Public services – including government buildings and town halls.
• Places of worship – churches, mosques, and temples.

The legislation applies to premises with a capacity of 100 or more people, with stricter requirements for larger venues accommodating 800 or more people.

Under Martyn’s Law, officially the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, venues that fail to comply with mandated security measures face significant fines. For serious breaches, smaller venues may incur penalties up to £10,000, while larger venues could face fines up to £18 million.

Under Martyn’s Law, the responsible person is the owner, operator, or controller of a publicly accessible location. They must conduct a terrorism risk assessment, implement security measures, ensure staff training, and maintain an action plan to reduce risks and enhance preparedness.

The regulator for Martyn’s Law will be the UK Government, with oversight potentially managed through an existing body or a newly created entity. This regulator will ensure compliance by assessing risk assessments, action plans, and security measures implemented by venues and organisations.