Martyn's Law, explained plainly.
Martyn's Law is the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. It received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025 and is expected in force around spring 2027, though the date is not yet fixed. These guides cover what it is, which tier you are in, how to count your capacity, the standard procedures, and what it means for two of the venue types that ask most: village halls and churches. General information, not legal advice.
What is Martyn's Law?
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 explained: what it does, who it covers, the two tiers, the regulator and the dates.
Standard tier vs enhanced tier
The 200 to 799 and 800-or-more thresholds, and exactly what each tier requires you to do.
How to count your capacity
The greatest number reasonably expected at once, why staff and volunteers count, and the methods you can use.
The four standard-tier procedures
Evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication, in plain English, with no equipment required.
Martyn's Law for village and community halls
Whether your hall is caught, who the responsible person is when a committee runs it, and what trustees should do.
Martyn's Law for churches and places of worship
How the capacity threshold applies to worship, the events exclusion, and the practical steps for a church.