Notification to the SIA: what venues can start thinking about now

Law firm TLT LLP has published a practical look at the notification requirement under the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, better known as Martyn's Law. The piece sets out the points operators should have in mind as the detail becomes clearer. It is commentary from a professional adviser, not new rules from the government or the regulator.

Under the Act, responsible people for qualifying premises will need to tell the Security Industry Authority (SIA) that they fall within scope. Standard tier covers places where 200 to 799 people may reasonably be expected at once; enhanced tier covers 800 or more. Staff are included in the count. The SIA's notification system is not yet open, so there is nothing to submit today.

For most pubs, halls, churches, cinemas and event spaces, the first practical task is simply knowing whether you are likely to be in scope and which tier applies. That rests on a realistic view of how many people your premises can hold at the same time. Getting a clear picture now makes the eventual notification step much simpler.

There is no deadline to act on yet. The duties are expected to begin in spring 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed. In the meantime, work out your likely occupancy, note who would be the responsible person, and keep an eye on official SIA updates about how notification will work. Treat this as familiarisation, not compliance.

The TLT LLP article is one adviser's reading of the position and is worth a read for extra context. It is not a substitute for the SIA's own guidance or for professional advice tailored to your premises.