Martyn's Law, officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is a legislative measure aimed at enhancing public safety by ensuring that venues implement appropriate security measures to mitigate the risks of terrorist attacks. The law introduces a tiered approach, categorizing venues based on their capacity and associated risk levels. This blog focuses on Standard Duty (Tier) Premises, detailing their obligations and the latest updates from Protect UK.
Article 13 in a series on Martyn's Law
This blog is part of our ongoing series exploring Martyn’s Law and its impact on public safety. We recommend checking out the full series for valuable insights. For further information or tailored advice, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us directly.
What Is a Standard Duty (Tier) Premise?
Standard Duty Premises are defined as venues where it is reasonable to expect that between 200 and 799 individuals may be present at the same time. These venues are required to undertake proportionate security measures to enhance preparedness and response to potential terrorist incidents.
Examples of Standard Duty Premises
Venues that typically fall under the Standard Tier include:
- Entertainment venues such as small theatres and music halls.
- Restaurants, pubs, and cafés with a seating capacity within the specified range.
- Community centres and leisure facilities.
- Retail stores with significant customer footfall.
- Museums, libraries, and art galleries.
Obligations for Standard Duty Premises
Operators of Standard Tier venues are required to:
- Notify the Regulator: Inform the Security Industry Authority (SIA) that their premises fall within the scope of Martyn’s Law.
- Implement Public Protection Procedures: Establish appropriate and reasonably practicable procedures to be followed by staff in the event of a terrorist attack occurring at or near the premises. These procedures aim to reduce the risk of physical harm to individuals and may include actions such as locking doors, closing shutters, and identifying safe routes to cover.
- Staff Training: Provide basic training to employees on recognizing and responding to potential threats, ensuring they are prepared to implement the established procedures effectively.
- Regular Review: Periodically assess and update security measures and response plans to address evolving threats and ensure ongoing preparedness.
Recent Updates
On 15 April 2026 the Home Office published its statutory guidance under section 27 of the Act, setting out how those responsible for standard tier premises should approach the core duties: notifying the Security Industry Authority (SIA), putting appropriate and reasonably practicable public protection procedures in place, and ensuring staff know how to carry them out.
The guidance reinforces the Government’s position that standard tier obligations are procedural and low-cost, with no requirement for physical alterations to premises or the purchase of specialist equipment. On the same day the SIA opened a consultation on its own draft section 12 guidance, which describes how it intends to regulate. That consultation closed on 12 June 2026, and the final SIA guidance is expected in autumn 2026.
The Act is not yet in force. Commencement regulations made in June 2026 switched on the SIA’s statutory duty to produce its guidance, and the Government continues to signal spring 2027 for the substantive duties to commence, with the exact date to be confirmed through Parliament.
The SIA is building an online portal through which standard tier premises will notify it; volunteer testing is planned for early 2027, and the timeframes and information required for notification will be set out in regulations.
Responsibility for compliance cannot be delegated, although the responsible person may take advice from a suitably knowledgeable security adviser.
Standard tier premises should use the remaining implementation period to identify their responsible person, confirm capacity, and draft and test their procedures.
A Tailored Approach to Diverse Needs
United Outcomes specialises in providing bespoke solutions to support organisations in meeting the requirements of Martyn’s Law. We understand the unique challenges faced by venues of all sizes and offer tailored advice to address specific needs. Our approach focuses on venue-specific guidance, ensuring that every strategy we develop is both effective and aligned with your objectives. By partnering with us, you can confidently navigate the responsibilities of Martyn’s Law, transforming challenges into opportunities to enhance public safety and resilience.
