Charities and Martyn's Law: why trustees should start thinking about governance now
Published
A legal commentary looks at how charities can prepare for Martyn's Law ahead of 2027, linking the new duties to good governance and wider risk planning. Many churches, community halls and charity-run venues fall within scope.
What happened
Law firm Blake Morgan has published commentary aimed at charities, setting out how they can get ready for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 — better known as Martyn's Law. The piece connects the Act to trustee governance and to the broader risks charities face. It is a preparation and awareness article, not new law or official guidance.
Why this matters for charity-run venues
Plenty of premises are run by charities: churches, village and community halls, visitor attractions and event spaces. If your site may see 200 or more people at the same time (staff and volunteers included), it is likely to fall within the Act's scope. The standard tier covers 200 to 799; the enhanced tier covers 800 or more. For charities, this sits naturally alongside existing trustee duties on safety and risk.
Remember the timing
The duties are not in force yet. Commencement is expected in spring 2027, and the exact date is still to be confirmed. The Security Industry Authority will be the regulator, but its notification process is not yet live. There is time to prepare calmly rather than rush.
What to do now
Put Martyn's Law on the agenda at a trustee or committee meeting. Work out roughly how many people your busiest events draw, so you know which tier you may fall into. Note who takes responsibility for the premises. Treat this as part of your normal governance and risk review, and keep an eye out for official SIA guidance as it appears.
This is our plain-English summary. Read the original in full at Blake Morgan.