# When does Martyn’s Law come into force?

> Martyn’s Law became law on 3 April 2025. The duties start after an implementation period of at least 24 months, expected from spring 2027. No exact date is set yet.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn’s Law, received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. The duties do not apply yet. The Home Office expects an implementation period of at least 24 months, so the duties are expected to start from spring 2027 at the earliest. The exact date has not been set; the Home Office and the SIA will publish the timeline in advance.

## At a glance

- **Became law**: 3 April 2025
- **Implementation period**: At least 24 months
- **Duties expected**: From spring 2027 (date not fixed)
- **Notify the SIA**: Not until the duties commence

## Where things stand now

There is no legal requirement to comply until the relevant parts of the Act come into force. The implementation period gives venues and event organisers time to understand what applies to them, and gives the Security Industry Authority (SIA) time to set up as the regulator.

The Home Office has published statutory guidance and factsheets. Starting early is sensible: most standard-tier work is about procedures and staff time rather than spending.

[What is Martyn’s Law?](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law)

## What is due when the duties start

- Premises already in scope must notify the SIA within three months of commencement.
- Qualifying events must be notified within 14 days of first being publicised, or within 14 days of commencement if publicised before then.
- For premises, changes and ceasing to be the responsible person must be notified within 28 days; for qualifying events, within 14 days.
- Standard tier premises need appropriate public protection procedures in place.
- Enhanced tier premises and qualifying events also need measures, a document for the SIA and, where the responsible person is not an individual, a designated senior individual.

[SIA notification](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/sia-notification) · [Check your tier](https://wardcote.co.uk/check-your-tier)

## How to use the time well

- Check whether you are in scope and which tier applies.
- Work out who the responsible person is.
- Draft your four procedures and talk them through with the people who would use them.
- Gather the details you will need to notify the SIA.
- If you may be enhanced tier, start planning measures early: they take longer.

[Standard tier checklist](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/standard-tier-checklist)

## Questions

### When does Martyn’s Law start?

It became law on 3 April 2025. The duties are expected to start after an implementation period of at least 24 months, so from spring 2027 at the earliest. No exact date has been set.

### Do I need to do anything now?

There is no legal requirement yet, but the Home Office says you may wish to start considering what you need to do. Most preparation is procedures and staff time.

### When do I notify the SIA?

Not until the duties commence. Premises already in scope then have three months; qualifying events must be notified within 14 days of first being publicised (or of commencement, if publicised before then).

### Will there be fines straight away?

The SIA will rely on advice and guidance where possible. Formal enforcement is for when it is necessary and proportionate.

## Sources

- [Home Office myth buster](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69281f35b3b9afff34e960f0/martyns-law-mythbuster.pdf)
- [SIA role and implementation timetable](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/understanding-martyns-law-and-the-sias-role-as-regulator)
- [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)
- [The Act as enacted](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/10/enacted)

## Related

- [Martyn’s Law SIA notification: what to submit and when](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/sia-notification)
- [How to comply with Martyn’s Law](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/how-to-comply)
- [Martyn’s Law standard tier: what you need to do](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/standard-tier)
- [Martyn’s Law enhanced tier: requirements](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/enhanced-tier)

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Source: https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/when-does-it-start · Last reviewed 2026-10-16 · Wardcote, venue and event security. General guidance, not legal advice.