What if your venue tips into scope under Martyn's Law?

The law firm Mishcon de Reya has published a piece exploring a practical question for venue operators: what would you do if your premises suddenly fell within the scope of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, better known as Martyn's Law? The Act received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025, but its duties are not yet enforceable. Commencement is expected in spring 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed.

Whether the Act applies depends on how many people may reasonably be expected at your premises at the same time, and that count includes staff. The standard tier covers premises where 200 to 799 people may be present together. The enhanced tier covers 800 or more. A venue that usually sits below 200 could move into scope for a busy event, a seasonal peak, or after a change in how the space is used.

For pub landlords, church wardens, hall managers and event organisers, the key point is that scope is about realistic numbers, not your average quiet night. If your capacity or your busiest occasions push you towards 200 people, it is sensible to understand which tier you might fall into well before the duties begin.

There is nothing to comply with yet, and no notification process is live with the Security Industry Authority. Use this time to get a realistic sense of your busiest expected attendance, including staff, and to keep an eye on how your numbers change across the year. Familiarising yourself with the thresholds now makes preparation calmer when the start date is confirmed.