SIA marks one year of Martyn's Law and signals draft guidance is coming
Published
The SIA's Martyn's Law Director has reflected on the first anniversary of Royal Assent and pointed to draft guidance for the standard tier being published for consultation.
What happened
The Security Industry Authority's Martyn's Law Director, Laura Gibb, has marked one year since the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. Alongside that reflection, she looked ahead to the publication of draft section 12 guidance, which covers the standard tier, for public consultation. This is part of the steady run-up before the duties come into force.
What it means for venues
The standard tier applies to premises where 200 to 799 people may reasonably be expected at the same time, including staff. Section 12 guidance is intended to explain what those premises will need to do. Once the draft is out for consultation, operators will be able to see the direction of travel and have a chance to comment before anything is finalised.
Where things stand
The duties are not yet in force. Commencement is expected in spring 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed. The SIA's notification process is not live either. This update is a signpost that the supporting guidance is on its way, not a sign that any new obligations apply now.
What to do now
There is no need to rush. Keep an eye out for the draft section 12 guidance when it is published, and read it if your venue is likely to fall in the standard tier. In the meantime, it is a sensible moment to get a rough idea of your typical headcount and how your premises are used, so you are ready to engage with the guidance when it lands.
This is our plain-English summary. Read the original in full at GOV.UK.