Martyn’s Law is coming, but it’s not in force yet.
If you operate a public-facing venue where 200 or more people could reasonably be present at the same time, or you’re responsible for ticketed events with 800 or more attendees, now is a good time to understand what the legislation means for your organisation.
The law is designed to improve preparedness in the unlikely event of a terrorist attack. While the legal requirements are not expected to come into effect until 2027, many organisations are already reviewing their procedures, responsibilities and communication plans.
At TenAV, we’re increasingly speaking with facilities managers, estates teams, venue operators and education leaders who are trying to understand what Martyn’s Law means in practice, particularly when it comes to communicating with visitors and staff during an emergency.
Before we get into the detail, we’ve put together a simple guide that summarises the key points.
Download the Practical Martyn’s Law Guide
Our free guide covers:
- Who is likely to be affected
- Key dates and implementation timelines
- Standard and Enhanced Tier requirements
- The four procedures venues will need to consider
- Questions to ask about your existing communication systems
Download your copy and share it with colleagues involved in operations, estates, facilities or health and safety.
The Quick Test: Does Martyn’s Law Apply To You?
Most people have the same question when they first hear about Martyn’s Law:
Does this affect us?
Your venue may fall within scope if:
- The public can access it
- It is mainly used for a qualifying purpose such as retail, hospitality, education, healthcare, leisure or entertainment
- You can reasonably expect 200 or more people to be present at the same time
- Importantly, this isn’t about average attendance.
- A venue that only exceeds 200 people a handful of times a year could still be affected if those numbers are reasonably expected during busy periods.
If you’re not sure whether your organisation falls within scope, it’s worth starting the conversation now rather than waiting until implementation begins.
So, What Exactly Is Martyn’s Law?
Martyn’s Law is the commonly used name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025.
The legislation was introduced to improve public safety and preparedness at publicly accessible venues and events.
Rather than focusing on preventing attacks, the law focuses on helping organisations prepare for them. The aim is to ensure responsible persons have considered how they would respond, communicate and protect people should an incident occur.
It applies across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Why Is It Called Martyn’s Law?
The legislation is named after Martyn Hett, who was one of the 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena attack in May 2017.
Following the attack, Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray OBE, campaigned for stronger security and preparedness requirements at public venues.
Years of consultation and legislative development followed before the Act received Royal Assent in April 2025.
Has Martyn’s Law Passed?
Yes. Martyn’s Law became law on 3 April 2025.
However, the legal duties associated with the Act are not yet in force.
Current guidance indicates the earliest possible commencement date is April 2027, with Spring 2027 broadly expected. This implementation period has been deliberately built in to give organisations time to understand their responsibilities and prepare.
For most venues, that means there is still time to review procedures, train staff and identify any gaps before the legislation takes effect.
Understanding The Two Tiers
The requirements depend largely on how many people can reasonably be expected at your premises at the same time.
Standard Tier
The Standard Tier applies to premises where between 200 and 799 people can reasonably be present.
Organisations in this category will need procedures covering:
- Evacuation
- Invacuation
- Lockdown
- Communication
The emphasis is on having proportionate and practical plans that can be implemented when needed.
Enhanced Tier
The Enhanced Tier applies to certain premises and events where 800 or more people can reasonably be present.
In addition to the four procedures above, organisations may need to consider:
- Monitoring and surveillance
- Managing the movement of people
- Physical security measures
- Information security
- Compliance documentation
- Senior accountability
The requirements are broader, reflecting the increased complexity of larger venues and events.
Why Communication Deserves More Attention
Most organisations already have evacuation procedures.
The bigger challenge is often communication.
During an incident, people need clear instructions. They need to know whether to leave, stay where they are or move somewhere safer.
That sounds straightforward until you think about a typical busy venue:
- Multiple floors
- Large crowds
- Background music
- Different entrances and exits
- Visitors unfamiliar with the building
In these situations, even well-written procedures can become difficult to execute if messages don’t reach people quickly and consistently.
That’s why communication sits alongside evacuation, invacuation and lockdown as one of the four core procedures within Martyn’s Law.
Where Technology Fits In
Martyn’s Law does not require organisations to purchase digital signage, audio systems or any other specific technology.
Compliance comes from having suitable procedures and ensuring staff know how to implement them.
However, many organisations already have communication systems in place that could support those procedures.
This might include:
- Digital signage
- LED displays
- Public address systems
- Wayfinding screens
- Information kiosks
The key question is whether those systems could effectively support emergency communication if needed.
Five Questions Worth Asking Now
If you’re reviewing your preparedness plans, these are useful discussion points.
1. Can Messages Reach Every Area?
Reception areas and main entrances are often well covered.
But what about:
- Corridors
- Stairwells
- Waiting areas
- Outdoor spaces
- Car parks
Identifying communication gaps now is far easier than discovering them during an emergency.
2. Can Emergency Messages Override Normal Content?
If a screen is displaying promotions, menus or wayfinding information, can an urgent message take priority immediately?
It’s worth testing rather than assuming.
3. Who Can Trigger An Alert?
The process should be clear, documented and accessible to authorised staff.
If only one person knows how to issue an alert, that’s potentially an operational risk.
4. Do Audio And Visual Systems Work Together?
Some people will see a screen but not hear an announcement.
Others will hear an announcement without seeing a screen.
When audio and visual systems work together, messages are often clearer and more accessible.
5. Have Procedures Been Tested?
Buildings change. Teams change. Technology changes.
Regular reviews and exercises can help ensure procedures remain practical and relevant.
How TenAV Can Help
While Martyn’s Law is fundamentally about procedures and preparedness, technology can often support the communication side of the process.
We help organisations understand:
- Whether existing digital signage can support emergency messaging
- How messages could reach different areas of a building
- Where potential communication gaps exist
- How audio and visual systems can work together
- Whether existing infrastructure is capable of supporting future requirements
Our role is not to make compliance claims or provide legal advice.
Instead, we help organisations assess how their existing communication systems could support the plans and procedures they choose to implement.
In many cases, the answer may simply be making better use of technology that’s already in place.
If you’re responsible for a venue, school, hospitality environment, visitor attraction or other public-facing space, our one-page briefing guide provides a practical overview of the legislation and the steps organisations should be considering now.
Inside you’ll find:
Scope thresholds explained
Key implementation dates
Standard and Enhanced Tier requirements
The four core procedures
A simple preparedness checklist
Download your copy today and share it with colleagues responsible for facilities, estates, operations or health and safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Does Martyn’s Law Come Into Force?
- Current guidance indicates the earliest possible commencement date is April 2027, although the final implementation date has not yet been confirmed.
Does Martyn’s Law Apply To My Business?
- It depends on the type of premises, how the building is used and the number of people that can reasonably be expected to be present at the same time.
Does Martyn’s Law Require Digital Signage?
- No. The legislation does not require any specific technology or product.
Can Digital Signage Help?
- It can support the communication procedure by helping organisations deliver messages quickly and consistently across a site.
What Are The Four Standard Tier Procedures?
- Evacuation
- Invacuation
- Lockdown
- Communication
Do Offices Need To Comply?
- Most office buildings are unlikely to be in scope because offices are not listed among the qualifying premises types.
Does It Apply To Schools?
- Schools with 200 or more people on site can fall within scope. Schools and colleges remain Standard Tier premises regardless of size.
Does It Apply To Places Of Worship?
- Yes. Places of worship can fall within scope when attendance reaches 200 people or more, although they remain within the Standard Tier.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information only and should not be considered legal advice. Organisations should refer to the latest government guidance and seek professional advice where appropriate.