Martyn's Law Events: What Event Organisers Need To Know
If you organise conferences, exhibitions, festivals, corporate events or other public events in the UK, you may already have heard people talking about Martyn's Law.
The new legislation is designed to improve how certain publicly accessible premises and events prepare for the possibility of a terrorist attack.
The law has been passed, but The Security Industry Authority (SIA), which will regulate Martyn's Law, is currently preparing for implementation in spring 2027.
For event organisers, that creates an important period to understand what's changing, whether the events you organise could be affected and what conversations you may need to start having with clients and venues.
However, Martyn's Law events aren't determined by attendance numbers alone.
Whether an event falls within the legislation can depend on how many people are reasonably expected to be there at the same time, how entry is controlled and whether the venue itself is already covered by the enhanced requirements.
For Scope, this forms part of a wider conversation about how events are changing.
Event teams are increasingly being asked to understand, measure and document different areas of event delivery, from new legal requirements to sustainability and carbon emissions.
While Martyn's Law is separate from carbon reporting, it's an important development for event professionals to have on their radar.
Here, we'll explain what Martyn's Law means for events, the requirements event professionals should understand and what organisers can do to prepare.
What Is Martyn's Law?
Martyn's Law is the name commonly given to the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.
Martyn's mother, Figen Murray OBE, campaigned for legislation that would improve preparedness and protection at publicly accessible locations.
The Act received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025, aiming to require certain premises and events to take steps intended to reduce the risk of physical harm if a terrorist attack occurs.
For event organisers, an important distinction is that Martyn’s Law can apply to the venue itself or to a specific event taking place there. The rules work slightly differently depending on which is covered.
This means an event may not fall directly under Martyn’s Law, while the venue it is being held at still does.
Does Martyn's Law Apply To Events?
Martyn's Law can apply to some events, however an event doesn't automatically become a qualifying event simply because a large number of people attend it.
An event may be a qualifying event under Martyn's Law if a number of conditions are met, including:
800 or more people can reasonably be expected to be present at the same time, including people working at the event.
Members of the public have access for the purpose of attending the event.
Entry is controlled through one of the conditions specified by the legislation, such as checking tickets, passes or invitations.
The premises aren't already enhanced duty premises, or part of enhanced duty premises.
The event and premises don't fall within relevant exclusions in the legislation.
An event held entirely outdoors can potentially qualify too.
For event organisers, the important point is that you need to look beyond the headline attendance figure and consider how the event actually operates.
You can find the full criteria for qualifying events in the Home Office statutory guidance on Martyn's Law.
What Does The 800-Person Threshold Mean For Events?
The 800-person threshold is one of the most important parts of Martyn's Law event requirements to understand.
The legislation considers how many people can reasonably be expected to be present at the same time, which isn't necessarily the same as total attendance across an entire event.
When considering the 800-person threshold, remember:
The figure relates to people expected at the same time, rather than total footfall throughout the day.
People working at the event count too, not just attendees.
Ticket sales and registrations don't necessarily determine whether an event reaches the threshold.
Event teams need to consider the number reasonably expected to be present during the event's busiest period.
More than 800 people could attend an event over its full duration without 800 people necessarily being present simultaneously.
Imagine an exhibition receives 1,200 visitors throughout the day, but only around 600 people are reasonably expected to be on site at any one time.
The event wouldn't meet the 800-person qualifying-event threshold simply because more than 800 people attended across the day. The explanatory notes to the Act specifically address this distinction.
This could be particularly relevant to exhibitions, conferences and other events where attendees arrive and leave at different times.
Does Martyn's Law Only Apply To Ticketed Events?
Martyn's Law doesn't necessarily only apply to ticketed events.
In fact, an event doesn't have to charge for admission to be considered, what matters is whether the relevant conditions of entry are checked.
Depending on the event, this could involve checking whether somebody:
has paid to attend
has a ticket or pass
is a member of a relevant club or association
is a guest of a member
A free event where attendees require a ticket that is checked could therefore potentially meet this requirement.
By contrast, an open gathering without the relevant type of entry control wouldn't become a qualifying event under these provisions simply because a large number of people attended.
Martyn's Law Event Examples
The distinction between premises, events and different capacity thresholds can initially feel complicated.
These examples illustrate some of the questions an event organiser may need to consider.
Event Scenario | What should the organiser consider? |
500-person conference in a hotel | The event itself doesn't meet the 800-person qualifying-event threshold, but the hotel may separately be qualifying premises. Understand what applies to the venue and how its procedures affect your event. |
1,000-person ticketed outdoor event | Outdoor events can potentially qualify. Consider whether 800+ people are reasonably expected simultaneously, whether the relevant entry controls are in place and whether the other qualifying-event conditions apply. |
1,200 registrations but around 600 people expected at one time | Total registrations alone don't determine whether the event reaches the threshold. The number reasonably expected to be present at the same time is what matters. |
Conference inside enhanced duty premises | If the premises are already enhanced duty premises, or part of them, the conference won't separately qualify as a qualifying event under these provisions. Organisers should still understand how the venue's procedures and measures affect event delivery. |
Free festival with controlled ticket entry | Charging for admission isn't essential. A free ticket or pass that is checked can potentially satisfy the relevant entry condition. |
Event agency delivering an event for a client | Don't assume the agency automatically is, or isn't, the responsible person. Establish who has control of the premises for the purposes of the event. |
These are illustrative examples rather than definitive assessments. Whether an individual event falls within Martyn's Law depends on its particular circumstances and the tests set out in the legislation.
What Are The Martyn's Law Requirements?
You may have heard people refer to the Martyn's Law standard tier and Martyn's Law enhanced tier.
This is because Martyn’s Law has different requirements depending on the size and type of premises or event.
Put simply, the standard tier generally applies to smaller premises covered by the law, while the enhanced tier applies to larger premises and qualifying events, with additional requirements.
The official guidance now commonly uses the terms standard duty premises and enhanced duty premises, but you may still see “standard tier” and “enhanced tier” used when reading about Martyn’s Law.
In simple terms:
Standard duty premises generally cover qualifying premises where 200–799 people may reasonably be expected at the same time.
Enhanced duty premises generally cover qualifying premises where 800 or more people may reasonably be expected at the same time.
Qualifying events meeting the relevant conditions and 800-person threshold are subject to the enhanced requirements.
Standard requirements include notifying the SIA and having appropriate public protection procedures, so far as reasonably practicable.
Enhanced requirements include further public protection measures and documentation requirements.
There are exceptions and special provisions for some types of premises, so event teams shouldn't use capacity alone to make a final determination.
What Is The Martyn's Law Standard Tier?
The Martyn's Law standard tier is the set of requirements that generally applies to smaller premises covered by the law.
It usually applies where between 200 and 799 people could reasonably be expected to be at the premises at the same time. In the latest official guidance, you may see these described as standard duty premises.
Once Martyn's Law comes into force, the person or organisation responsible for the premises will need to notify the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
They will also need to have appropriate procedures in place for what to do if a terrorist attack happens at the premises or nearby.
These procedures focus on four main areas:
Evacuation - how people would safely leave the premises.
Invacuation - how people would be moved to a safer place inside the premises if leaving wasn't the safest option.
Lockdown - how the premises could be secured to help prevent people entering or leaving when necessary.
Communication - how people would be given clear information about what is happening and what they should do.
The law recognises that every premises is different, so these procedures should be appropriate and realistic for the particular location rather than following a single approach.
For event organisers, this matters even if your event itself isn't directly covered by Martyn's Law.
If you're holding an event at a venue that falls within the standard tier, you'll need to understand the venue's procedures and how they fit with your own event plans.
What Is The Martyn's Law Enhanced Tier?
The Martyn's Law enhanced tier introduces additional requirements for larger premises and events covered by the law.
It generally applies to premises where 800 or more people could reasonably be expected to be present at the same time.
Certain events with 800 or more people can also fall under these enhanced requirements if they meet the other conditions we've covered above.
In the latest official guidance, you may see larger venues described as enhanced duty premises.
Once Martyn's Law comes into force, the person or organisation responsible for an enhanced duty premises or qualifying event will have additional responsibilities.
These include:
Notifying the SIA that the premises or event falls within the legislation.
Having appropriate public protection procedures for situations such as evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communicating with people.
Putting appropriate protection measures in place to help reduce the risk of harm if a terrorist attack occurs.
Recording the procedures and measures that have been put in place and providing the required information to the SIA.
If an organisation is responsible, appointing a senior individual to oversee its compliance with Martyn's Law.
The SIA has said it will provide templates before the legislation comes into force to help organisations record and submit the information required.
For event professionals, these requirements don't simply mean “hire more security.” The measures needed will depend on the individual venue or event, how it operates and what can reasonably be done to protect people.
This is what the legislation means by “reasonably practicable”: the approach should be proportionate and realistic for the particular circumstances rather than every venue or event being expected to take exactly the same measures.
Who Is Responsible For Martyn's Law At An Event?
This could be one of the most important questions for event agencies, clients and venues.
Organising an event doesn't automatically mean your organisation is the legal responsible person.
For a qualifying event, the responsible person is the individual or organisation that has control of the premises where the event takes place for the purposes of the event.
The SIA has specifically highlighted this issue in its guidance for the events industry.
For event teams, the key points about responsibility are:
The event organiser isn't automatically the legal responsible person.
Responsibility depends on who has control of the premises for the purposes of the event.
A venue, client, event agency and suppliers may all be involved without all being the responsible person.
Individual activities can be carried out with help from suppliers, advisers or contractors.
The responsible person can't simply transfer their legal responsibility by contracting work to somebody else.
Responsibility should therefore be clarified early between the client, venue and event organiser.
Think about how many organisations can be involved in delivering one large event: the venue, corporate client, event agency, production teams, security providers, caterers and other suppliers.
They can all have important responsibilities for event delivery without all having the same legal responsibility under Martyn's Law.
Establishing who controls the premises and who is responsible should therefore become an early conversation rather than something considered shortly before the event opens.
What If The Venue Is Already Covered By Martyn's Law?
Event organisers also need to distinguish between the event itself and the premises where it takes place.
A qualifying event under Martyn's Law must take place at premises that aren't already enhanced duty premises, or part of enhanced duty premises.
For example, if a large conference takes place entirely within premises already covered by the enhanced requirements, it isn't separately treated as a qualifying event under this part of the Act.
That doesn't mean the event team can ignore Martyn's Law.
The venue's procedures and measures may affect how the event operates, making communication between venues, clients and event organisers important.
What Should Event Organisers Be Doing Now?
Martyn's Law isn't yet in force, so event organisers don't currently need to notify the SIA or comply with duties that haven't commenced.
However, teams can use this period to understand how the legislation could affect future events.
Event organisers can start preparing for Martyn's Law by:
Reviewing upcoming events and venues. Identify future events that could potentially fall within the legislation once it comes into force.
Checking expected simultaneous attendance. Don't rely solely on registrations or total visitor numbers. Consider how many people may reasonably be present during the busiest period.
Understanding how entry is controlled. Review whether attendees enter using tickets, passes, invitations or other relevant conditions of entry.
Speaking to venues early. Ask how venues expect Martyn's Law to apply to their premises and what preparations they're making.
Clarifying responsibility. Establish which individual or organisation is likely to have control of the premises for the purposes of the event.
Reviewing existing procedures. Consider existing evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication arrangements.
Understanding documentation requirements. If you're likely to be responsible for a qualifying event, familiarise yourself with the additional requirements that will apply.
Following official guidance. Continue checking the Home Office, SIA and ProtectUK as implementation approaches.
The SIA itself encourages organisations to use the implementation period to understand the legislation and begin preparing.
If you're already reviewing how future events are planned, this can also be a useful opportunity to look at the other event information you're collecting.
For sustainability, that might include attendee travel, venue energy, accommodation, freight, catering, suppliers and waste.
Having reliable information about these areas makes it easier to understand an event's environmental impact and identify where emissions could potentially be reduced.
That's where Scope's role is very different from Martyn's Law compliance, but still relevant to the wider event-planning picture.
Scope's carbon tracking software for events helps teams collect activity data, calculate emissions and measure the carbon footprint of their events.
As expectations around events develop, having good processes for collecting, managing and understanding event information can make different areas of planning easier to manage.
Better Event Planning Starts With Better Information
Martyn's Law is separate from sustainability and carbon reporting, but there is a wider lesson here for event teams: good event management increasingly depends on having clear, reliable information.
For Martyn's Law, that can mean understanding capacity, entry arrangements, responsibilities and how the event operates.
For carbon measurement, it means understanding the activities responsible for an event's emissions.
Useful event carbon data can include:
Attendee travel, including transport method and distance travelled.
Venue energy use, where appropriate data is available.
Accommodation associated with attendees, staff or event delivery.
Freight and logistics involved in transporting equipment and materials.
Catering, including information about food and drink.
Production materials and suppliers used to deliver the event.
Waste generated and how it is treated.
Event teams may already hold some of this information across registration systems, travel bookings, venue information, supplier records and invoices.
Bringing it together can make it much easier to measure an event's carbon footprint rather than trying to reconstruct everything after the event has finished.
At Scope, this is specifically where we help. Our carbon tracking software gives event teams a place to bring together carbon-related activity data, calculate emissions and build a clearer picture of an event's environmental impact.
When Does Martyn's Law Come Into Force?
As of September 2026, Martyn's Law has been passed, but its requirements aren't yet in force.
The SIA is currently preparing to begin regulating Martyn's Law in spring 2027. The exact commencement date will be confirmed through the formal process.
The Martyn's Law timeline so far includes:
3 April 2025: The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent.
2025–2026: Government and the SIA continued preparing guidance and regulatory arrangements.
2026: Further statutory and regulatory guidance has been developed to help organisations prepare.
September 2026: The requirements aren't yet in force and organisations don't yet need to notify the SIA.
Spring 2027: The SIA currently expects implementation, with the exact commencement date to be confirmed.
If you're planning large events for 2027 and beyond, it's worth continuing to check the official position as the implementation date approaches.
Martyn's Law Events FAQs
Does Martyn's Law Apply To Events Under 800 People?
An event itself won't meet the qualifying-event threshold if fewer than 800 people can reasonably be expected to be present at the same time. However, the premises where the event takes place may separately fall within Martyn's Law, including standard duty premises where 200–799 people can reasonably be expected to be present at the same time.
Does The 800-Person Martyn's Law Threshold Mean Tickets Sold?
No, the test considers how many people can reasonably be expected to be present at the same time, including people working at the event. An event could therefore sell more than 800 tickets without necessarily meeting the qualifying-event threshold if fewer than 800 people are reasonably expected to be there simultaneously.
Does Martyn's Law Apply To Outdoor Events?
An event taking place entirely outdoors can be a qualifying event if the other conditions in the legislation are met, including the relevant attendance and entry-control requirements.
Does Martyn's Law Apply To Free Events?
Charging for admission isn't the deciding factor for Martyn's Law. A free event where relevant tickets, passes or other conditions of entry are checked could potentially satisfy this part of the qualifying-event test.
Who Is Responsible For Martyn's Law At An Event?
For a qualifying event, the responsible person is the individual or organisation with control of the premises for the purposes of the event. That won't necessarily be an event agency simply because it has been hired to organise the event.
Are Staff Included In The Martyn's Law 800-Person Threshold?
Yes, people working at the premises or event are included when considering the number reasonably expected to be present at the same time.
Is Martyn's Law Already In Force?
No, The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 has become law, but its main requirements aren't yet in force. As of September 2026, the SIA is preparing for implementation in spring 2027.
Where Can Event Organisers Find Official Martyn's Law Guidance?
Because Martyn's Law creates legal requirements, event organisers should use official sources when determining whether particular premises or an event fall within the legislation.
The three main places to start are:
Home Office statutory guidance for detailed information about the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025.
Security Industry Authority (SIA) guidance explaining how Martyn's Law will be regulated and how organisations can prepare.
ProtectUK, which provides counter-terrorism security guidance and resources for organisations and event professionals.
These should take priority over older articles published while Martyn's Law was still progressing through Parliament, as some thresholds, terminology and requirements changed before the final Act became law.
Keeping Up With A Changing Events Industry
Martyn's Law represents an important change for the UK events industry.
For some event professionals, the biggest impact will be the formal requirements introduced for qualifying events. For others, it may be felt through the venues they work with and the procedures and measures those venues introduce.
Either way, understanding the legislation early gives event teams more time to prepare, ask the right questions and build relevant considerations into their planning.
It's also part of a broader change in how events are managed. Clients, venues and event teams increasingly want better information about how events are delivered and the impact they have.
At Scope, our particular focus is carbon measurement. Our carbon tracking software helps organisations measure the environmental impact of their events across areas such as attendee travel, venues, accommodation, freight, catering and waste.
But we also want Scope to be a useful resource for the event professionals using our platform. That means keeping you informed about wider developments that could affect the way events are planned and delivered, even when they sit outside carbon reporting.
We'll continue sharing practical event-industry updates alongside our guidance on event carbon measurement, sustainability and carbon reporting, helping event professionals stay informed while building a clearer picture of their environmental impact.
This article was last updated in September 2026 and is intended as general information for event professionals. It does not constitute legal or security advice. For guidance relating to a specific premises or event, refer to official Home Office, SIA and ProtectUK resources.
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