# Martyn’s Law for offices and workplaces > Ordinary offices are usually outside Martyn’s Law, but public-facing uses and some events need checking. Start with how your space is used. Ordinary offices and workplaces are usually outside Martyn’s Law because office work is not itself a Schedule 1 use. Employing 200 or even 800 people does not, by itself, bring an office into scope. Public-facing council services, qualifying conference spaces and certain public events need a closer check based on their use and arrangements. ## At a glance - **Likely position**: Ordinary office use is usually outside scope - **Key test**: A listed use is needed; staff numbers alone are insufficient - **Check separately**: Public services, conference spaces and qualifying events - **When**: Core duties expected in spring 2027; exact date unconfirmed ## Start with use rather than headcount Qualifying premises must include a building, be wholly or mainly used for one or more Schedule 1 uses, have at least 200 people reasonably expected together and have no applicable exclusion. All four tests matter. An ordinary office does not become qualifying premises simply because it is large or receives occasional visitors. Office work itself is not listed. First describe what happens in the space and whether that activity matches a listed use. For a mixed building, assess the main use over time. A customer-facing room does not automatically make the whole office building qualifying premises, but a distinct space within it may need a separate assessment. [Check your tier](https://wardcote.co.uk/check-your-tier) ## Check public-facing services and conference spaces Schedule 1 includes facilities or services provided by public authorities to visiting members of the public, where another listed use does not already cover them. A council’s public-facing service premises therefore need checking rather than being dismissed as ordinary offices. Conference centres and venues for hire used mainly for visiting members of the public are also listed. A space operated for public conferences can have a different position from an internal staff meeting room. Public access alone is not enough: identify the relevant listed use and apply the other premises tests. Shops, healthcare services or leisure facilities within an office development may also require their own assessment. [Martyn’s Law for retail premises](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/retail) · [Martyn’s Law for healthcare premises](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/healthcare) ## Assess distinct spaces and count the right people A part of a building can be qualifying premises. Separate qualifying premises within a larger site usually have their own responsible person and qualify on their own numbers. Where the same responsible person controls nested qualifying premises, they are treated as one. For a space with a listed use, count people reasonably expected together in that use area, including employees, contractors and volunteers. Do not automatically add every employee elsewhere in an office building. Use peak numbers rather than daily footfall or averages. Keep evidence from bookings, attendance records or another reasonable method. Identify who controls the relevant space and discuss shared entrances or routes where co-ordination is needed. [How to count people](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/counting-people) · [Understand the responsible person](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/responsible-person) ## Check public events hosted at the workplace An otherwise out-of-scope workplace can be drawn in for the duration of a qualifying event. This is a separate test from whether its ordinary office use qualifies. The event must have public access, reasonably expect 800 or more people together including staff, and check payment, tickets, passes or membership or guest status. It must not be at, or form part of, enhanced premises, and no event exclusion must apply. A private invitation-only staff gathering does not qualify. For a public exhibition or conference, check every criterion rather than assuming ticketing alone is enough. The responsible person is whoever controls the premises for the qualifying event, and enhanced duties apply. [Check qualifying event duties](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/events) ## Match your next step to the outcome If your workplace has no qualifying premises use and no qualifying event, it has no legal obligation under this Act. You can still discuss practical communication arrangements with colleagues and building management as voluntary preparation. If a space qualifies at standard tier, it will need SIA notification and four appropriate protection procedures once duties commence. It requires no formal risk assessment or written plan, although documenting procedures is recommended. Enhanced premises and qualifying events have additional assessed measures and document duties. Confirm the scope first so that you prepare for the duties that actually apply to your use. [Standard tier duties](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/standard-tier) · [Enhanced tier duties](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/enhanced-tier) ## Make a clear record of your use check Core duties are not yet enforceable. Commencement is expected in spring 2027, with no fixed date set. A useful first step is a short record of ordinary activities, public-facing spaces and planned public events. The law does not require buying software or specialist services. Use Wardcote’s free tier check to explore a potentially qualifying space. If it is enhanced, Wardcote offers hands-on enhanced tier support from an experienced team it works with. [Check your tier](https://wardcote.co.uk/check-your-tier) · [Enhanced tier support](https://wardcote.co.uk/enhanced-tier-assessment) ## Questions ### Does Martyn’s Law apply to offices? Ordinary office work is not a Schedule 1 use, so offices are usually outside scope. Check distinct public-facing uses and any potentially qualifying events. ### Does having 800 employees make an office enhanced tier? No. A qualifying premises use and the other premises tests are needed before the attendance thresholds determine a tier. ### Are council offices outside scope? Not necessarily. Public authorities providing facilities or services to visiting members of the public are a listed use, so relevant premises need assessment. ### Does an internal meeting room count as a conference centre? Do not assume that it does. The listed conference and hire use concerns premises used mainly for visiting members of the public; assess the room’s actual use. ### Can a public event bring our office into scope? Yes, for the duration of a qualifying event. It must meet all the event tests, including public access, 800 or more people together and checked admission. ### Do we need an SIA notification if our office is outside scope? No premises notification is required for an out-of-scope office. A qualifying event has separate duties for the person controlling the premises for that event. ## Sources - [Schedule 1 qualifying uses](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/10/schedule/1/enacted) - [Home Office statutory guidance](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025/terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025-statutory-guidance) - [Home Office myth buster](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69281f35b3b9afff34e960f0/martyns-law-mythbuster.pdf) - [SIA role and commencement update](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/understanding-martyns-law-and-the-sias-role-as-regulator) ## Related - [Martyn’s Law crowd management and event security](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/events) - [Who is the responsible person under Martyn’s Law?](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/responsible-person) - [How to count people for Martyn’s Law](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/counting-people) - [Martyn’s Law for shops and shopping centres](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/retail) --- Source: https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/offices · Last reviewed 2026-10-16 · Wardcote, venue and event security. General guidance, not legal advice.