SIA to run webinars on its draft Martyn's Law guidance
Published
The Security Industry Authority is holding webinars to walk people through its draft guidance for Martyn's Law, giving venue operators an early look at how the regulator's approach is taking shape.
What happened
The Society of Local Council Clerks has flagged that the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is running webinars on its draft guidance for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, better known as Martyn's Law. The SIA is the regulator for the new regime. These sessions are a chance to see how the draft guidance explains the duties and what the regulator expects, before the rules take effect.
What it means for venues
The guidance is still in draft, and the duties are not in force yet. Commencement is expected in spring 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed. So nothing is enforceable today. The webinars are useful because they show the direction of travel for pubs, halls, churches, cinemas and events, and help operators understand the standard tier (200 to 799 people) and enhanced tier (800 or more), counting staff.
Why this matters now
Local councils, parish clerks and community venue managers often run premises that may fall into scope. Early sight of the draft guidance helps you plan calmly rather than rushing later. It also gives a clearer picture of how the SIA's notification process will work once it goes live, which has not happened yet.
What to do now
Treat this as a familiarisation step, not a compliance deadline. If a webinar place is available and relevant to your venue, it may be worth attending or sharing details with whoever handles your premises. Keep notes on your likely tier and how many people your space can hold. Remember the guidance is not final and may change before spring 2027.
This is our plain-English summary. Read the original in full at SLCC | Society of Local Council Clerks.