Martyn’s Law in 20 questions.

It is the common name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. It sets requirements for certain premises and events to prepare procedures and, where applicable, protection measures against terrorism.

No official tagline is specified in the Act or the official guidance reviewed here. Protect Duty was an earlier policy name; protection of premises is wording from the Act’s title. A course may expect its own phrasing, so check its materials.

Standard tier usually covers qualifying premises expecting 200–799 people at once. Enhanced tier usually starts at 800. Certain premises remain standard tier above 799, and qualifying events have enhanced duties.

SCaN means See, Check and Notify. It is an NPSA initiative helping people recognise suspicious activity and understand how to report it.

Its intended result is moving people to a safer place within the premises or event, reducing exposure to danger. It does not necessarily mean leaving the building or locking every door.

Martyn Hett, 29, one of the 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena attack on 22 May 2017. His mother, Figen Murray, campaigned for the law so that venues would be better prepared.

Yes. The Act received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. That does not mean the venue and event duties have started.

The SIA expects the venue and event duties to commence in spring 2027. As checked on 16 October 2026, the exact date is not confirmed and those duties are not yet in force.

A qualifying place of worship expecting at least 200 people at once is in standard tier, even above 799. A separately operated church hall needs its own premises assessment.

Qualifying childcare, primary and secondary education and further education premises are standard tier even above 799. Settings below the 200-person threshold are outside the premises duties. Higher education does not receive the exception.

It can. A qualifying event needs at least 800 people reasonably expected at once, public access, specified entry checks and no relevant exclusion. A large open-access event does not qualify on attendance alone.

Office use alone is not a listed premises use. A qualifying event or a distinct part of a building used for a listed purpose may still be covered, so assess those circumstances separately.

Yes. Include people working in the relevant premises use area or in connection with the event, alongside visitors. Use the greatest reasonably expected number at the same time.

It is the person or organisation with control connected with the relevant premises use, or control for the qualifying event. Responsibility follows the facts and special statutory rules, rather than simply a name on a rota.

Evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication. They concern moving people out, moving people to a safer place within the site, preventing entry or exit, and providing information.

Be able to explain the arrangements and how staff would use them. Briefing notes and practice records can help at standard tier. Enhanced premises and qualifying events must also prepare and submit the required document to the SIA. No product establishes compliance.

The Act requires neither at standard tier. Documenting procedures is recommended good practice. Separate duties under fire safety, health and safety or other legislation still apply.

No. Use the official guidance and make sure people with roles understand the arrangements. Buying outside help is optional.

Once notification commences, those already responsible for qualifying premises have three months. Later responsibility changes use the later of that initial deadline or 28 days after the change. Qualifying events have separate 14-day deadlines linked to publicity or commencement.

A standard-tier non-compliance penalty can be up to £10,000 for each contravention. Continuing breaches of a compliance notice can also attract daily penalties of up to £500 after the payment period specified in the penalty notice ends. The venue duties are not yet in force.