When does Martyn's Law come into force?

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) expects Martyn's Law to come into force in spring 2027. The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025, and the SIA will confirm the exact start date before the duties apply.

The spring 2027 date comes from the SIA's own guidance, Understanding Martyn's Law and the SIA's role as regulator, published on 17 July 2026. It says: "It is expected that the Act will come into force in spring 2027."

When did Martyn's Law become law?

The Act received Royal Assent on Thursday 3 April 2025. ProtectUK, the police counter terrorism advice service, says the implementation period is expected to last at least 24 months from that date. Two years from April 2025 brings you to spring 2027, which matches the SIA's expectation.

The implementation period exists so that premises can prepare. It gives you time to work out your tier, choose a responsible person, write your procedures and brief your staff.

What are the key dates?

Dates checked on 21 October 2026. Look at the SIA page again before you plan around a date, because the SIA updates it as the start date gets closer.

Which premises have to be ready?

The Act covers premises used for the purposes in Schedule 1, such as shops, pubs and restaurants, entertainment venues, halls for hire, hotels, places of worship, schools and sports grounds. Two capacity thresholds in the SIA guidance decide your tier:

• Standard tier: it is reasonable to expect 200 or more people on the premises at the same time, from time to time. Staff count towards the number.
• Enhanced tier: it is reasonable to expect 800 or more people at the same time.

Places of worship, schools, further education and childcare premises stay in the standard tier even above 800 people. Below 200, your premises are outside the tiers.

What do I have to do when the law starts?

For the standard tier, the SIA guidance says you must notify the SIA who your responsible person is, once the law comes into effect. You must also have appropriate public protection procedures in place, so far as is reasonably practicable.

Section 5 of the Act lists four kinds of procedure:

1. Evacuating people from the premises.
2. Moving people to a safer place on the premises (often called invacuation).
3. Stopping people entering or leaving (often called lockdown).
4. Giving information to people on the premises.

Enhanced tier premises do all of that and more. They also put public protection measures in place, name a senior individual, and document their procedures and measures in a document that they send to the SIA.

What should I do before spring 2027?

You can do most of the groundwork now with free material from GOV.UK and ProtectUK.

1. Work out your realistic busiest number, including staff.
2. Check that your premises fall under a Schedule 1 use.
3. Choose your responsible person.
4. Write the four procedures in plain words that a new member of staff can follow.
5. Brief your staff and rehearse the procedures.
6. Watch the SIA page for the confirmed date and the portal.

ProtectUK says premises "do not need to spend money on consultants to be compliant". Most standard tier sites can use the free guidance. An adviser helps most with staff training, sites with several buildings, and enhanced tier documents. No adviser can certify that you comply, because the SIA regulates the duty and endorses no firm.

Will the SIA inspect straight away?

The SIA says it will use a risk-based approach and focus on whether premises have taken reasonable steps to comply. It will typically give at least 72 hours' notice before an on-site inspection.

Penalties exist from the start date. Section 18 of the Act sets a maximum non-compliance penalty of £10,000 for standard tier premises. For enhanced tier premises and qualifying events, the maximum is £18 million or 5% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater.

Next step

Answer six questions in the tier check to see your likely tier, the duties that come with it and the free guidance for your premises. You see the result before we ask for any contact details.