What happens if your venue crosses into Martyn's Law territory?
Published
A legal commentary asks a useful question: what would you do if your premises suddenly fell within scope of Martyn's Law? It is a good prompt to check where your venue sits on the headcount tiers before the duties begin.
What happened
Law firm Mishcon de Reya has published a piece exploring a scenario many operators may not have considered: a venue unexpectedly finding itself within scope of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn's Law. The article frames this as a planning question rather than a current legal duty, since the Act's requirements are not yet in force.
What it means for venues
Scope depends on how many people may reasonably be expected at the same time, including staff. The standard tier covers premises where 200 to 799 people might be present; the enhanced tier covers 800 or more. A space that usually stays small can tip into scope when it hosts a busy event, a seasonal service or a one-off gathering. That is why it helps to think about your peak attendance, not just a typical day.
Why this matters now
The duties are expected to commence in spring 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed. The Security Industry Authority will be the regulator, and its notification process is not yet live. So there is nothing to file or comply with today — but there is plenty of value in understanding where you would sit if numbers rise.
What to do now
Take a realistic look at your busiest moments and estimate the largest number of people who could be present, staff included. Note which tier that points to and keep a simple record of your reasoning. Treat this as familiarisation and preparation, not a final legal judgement — if your situation is borderline or complex, professional advice is sensible as the commencement date approaches.
This is our plain-English summary. Read the original in full at Mishcon de Reya LLP.