Safety advisory groups and Martyn’s Law.

A SAG usually brings together the local authority, emergency services, relevant agencies and the event organiser. Discussions may cover crowd movement, emergency arrangements, transport and the effect of an event beyond its boundary.

HSE explains that the organiser retains the principal legal duties for event safety. Agencies attending a SAG may have their own statutory powers, but those powers belong to the agencies and are exercised separately.

Martyn’s Law event requirementsTemporary event notices and Martyn’s Law

An event may qualify under Martyn’s Law where at least 800 people are reasonably expected at the same time, members of the public can attend, specified entry checks apply and there is no relevant exclusion. Count people working at the event as well as visitors.

Entry checks concern payment, tickets, passes or membership or guest status in a club or similar body. A free ticketed event can qualify. An open-access gathering does not qualify simply because it attracts a large crowd.

• Check the defined event area and how its entrance controls work.
• Assess the highest expected attendance at once, rather than the day’s total.
• Check whether the event is within enhanced premises, where the premises duties already apply.
• Check exclusions, including the special treatment of qualifying worship, childcare, school and further education premises.

How to count people for Martyn’s Law

A standard-tier venue can host a qualifying event. A genuinely one-off event reaching the threshold may need a separate event assessment. Where attendance of 800 or more is reasonably expected from time to time, the premises themselves may instead be enhanced tier.

Qualifying places of worship, childcare, primary and secondary education and further education premises have special treatment: they remain standard tier, and events there are excluded from qualifying event duties. Check the actual premises classification before applying this exception.

Enhanced tier requirementsWho is responsible for a venue or event

Ask the local authority about its process and information requirements early. A useful discussion starts with a clear event description and an honest account of decisions still to be made.

SAG engagement does not replace future SIA notification. For a qualifying event after commencement, notification is due within 14 days of first publicising the date, or within 14 days of commencement if the date was already publicised.

• Event dates, site boundaries, entrances and relevant permissions.
• Expected attendance at once and how it was calculated.
• Crowd movement, queues and access for emergency services.
• Proposed evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication arrangements.
• Who controls the venue and event, and how those organisations will co-ordinate.
• Specific concerns about shared spaces, neighbouring activities or communication.

SIA notification deadlines for events

Record useful actions from the discussion and assign them to the relevant people. Keep licensing decisions, landowner conditions, SAG advice and Martyn’s Law duties clear in your planning.

The venue and event duties are not yet in force. The SIA expects commencement in spring 2027, with no exact date confirmed. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Check your venue or event’s Martyn’s Law tierPublic protection procedures for venues and events