Martyn's Law on course for a 2027 start: what venues should know
Published
Reports point to the duties under Martyn's Law commencing in 2027. The exact date is still to be confirmed, so now is the time to get familiar rather than to rush.
What happened
The MJ has reported that Martyn's Law is being lined up to take effect in 2027. This fits with what we already know: the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent in April 2025, and the new duties are expected to begin in spring 2027. An exact commencement date has not yet been confirmed.
What it means for venues
If you run a pub, church, hall, cinema or event space, the duties are not in force yet and nothing is enforceable today. A 2027 start gives you a sensible runway to understand which tier you might fall into. Premises where 200 to 799 people could reasonably be expected at once sit in the standard tier; 800 or more sits in the enhanced tier. Remember the count includes your staff, not just the public.
What to do now
Start by working out the realistic maximum number of people who could be on site at the same time, as that decides your tier. Have a calm look at how you would think through simple, sensible steps for your space. There is no need to act on a regulator process yet, because the Security Industry Authority's notification system is not live.
Keep it in proportion
This is about familiarising and preparing in good time, not panicking over a deadline. As the start date and detail are confirmed, expect clearer official guidance to follow. Use this period to get comfortable with the basics so you are not starting from scratch closer to 2027.
This is our plain-English summary. Read the original in full at The MJ.