Martyn's Law, officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, is a significant legislative measure aimed at enhancing public safety by mandating that venues and events implement appropriate security protocols to mitigate the risk of terrorist attacks. While the law encompasses a broad range of public spaces, certain events and premises are specifically excluded from its requirements. Understanding these exclusions is crucial for event organisers and venue operators to ensure compliance and proper security planning.
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.
Understanding How Martyn's Law Applies to Specific Venues
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also referred to as Martyn’s Law, requires those responsible for ‘qualifying premises’ to assess and, where necessary, improve their preparedness for potential terrorist attacks. Premises are considered ‘qualifying’ if they include a building (with or without surrounding land) mainly used for a purpose listed in Schedule 1 of the Act, and can reasonably be expected to hold 200 or more people at the same time for that purpose (for a more detailed explanation of ‘qualifying premises’, see our blog post about it here).
The Act imposes additional duties on venues that can reasonably expect to host more than 800 people, designating them as ‘enhanced duty premises’, and requiring them to implement suitable protective measures to reduce their vulnerability to terrorist attacks.
However, there are exceptions to this general rule.
Places of worship (i.e., premises wholly or mainly used for communal worship or other communal religious practices), primary and secondary schools, further education institutions, and childcare facilities will always be classified as ‘standard duty premises.’
This classification holds true even if they reasonably expect more than 800 individuals, situations that would have typically classified them as enhanced duty premises. Higher educational institutions like universities are not included in this exception and must follow the general tier structure and the associated requirements.
It is important to note that these premises must still meet the definition of ‘qualifying premises’ for Martyn’s Law to apply. As such, places of worship, primary or secondary schools, further education institutions and childcare facilities that reasonably expect fewer than 200 individuals to be present will not be subject to Martyn’s Law.
Even when places of worship, childcare, primary, secondary, or further education that do not meet the definition of a ‘qualifying premises’ host an event that meets the criteria of a ‘qualifying event’, they will not be subject to the requirements of Martyn’s Law for this event because they are excluded under Schedule 2 of the Act (for more details on this, see our recent blog post here).
In light of these distinctions, it is essential for those responsible for premises to clearly understand which tier—standard duty or enhanced duty—their venue falls into under Martyn’s Law. This classification directly determines the scope of legal obligations they must fulfil, including the nature and extent of security measures required. Failing to correctly assess a premises’ classification could lead to non-compliance with the Act and increased vulnerability to potential threats. Accordingly, careful evaluation of both the function and capacity of a premises is not only a legal necessity, but also a vital component of effective risk management and public protection.
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.
Kevin Purcell
Kevin, United Outcomes’ Chief Operating Officer, boasts a distinguished career leveraging his background as a senior police officer to drive organisational excellence. With over a decade in leadership roles, Kevin excels in coordinating multi-agency operations, underscoring his adeptness in emergency preparedness. Specialising in change management, leadership, and development across various sectors, he has a record of executing projects efficiently, within budget, and to the highest standards.
