POOL RE SOLUTIONS
Martyn’s Law Hub
Martyn’s Law aims to improve public safety by increasing the preparation and protection of public spaces and events from terrorist attacks. Our hub aims to provide owners and operators of all such locations information and guidance to help better understand the risks and consider appropriate mitigations.
What is Martyn’s Law?
Martyn’s Law, also known as The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill was given Royal Assent on 3rd April 2025. The bill will enhance the protection of the United Kingdom’s publicly accessible places from terrorist attacks and help to ensure that businesses and organisations within scope are adequately prepared to deal with the terrorism threat.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill was laid before Parliament on 12th September 2024 and went through a period of legislative scrutiny. The bill was given Royal Assent, having been agreed across both Houses of Parliament. It is expected that an implementation period of at least 24 months will follow.
Is your organisation prepared for Martyn’s Law?
Based on the details included in the draft bill many businesses will be required to address the risk from terrorism for the first time. Businesses inviting public access into their premises or event space will be included within scope of the legislation and it is estimated that over 250,000 premises will be impacted by the new regulations set out within Martyn’s Law.
Publicly Accessible Locations
Where the public has access to the premises or part of the premises, with an expected capacity of 200 persons (Standard Tier) or 800 persons (Enhanced Tier).
Qualifying Activities
Premises which are used for a qualifying activity such as shops, nightclubs, entertainment venues, sports grounds, education establishments, and healthcare facilities.
Public Events
Events (above a maximum capacity of 800) where there are express permission for entry (e.g. ticketing, payment).
Following the final reading and legislative scrutiny, only a small number of technical amendments – aiming at improving the clarity of the legislation – are made:
Minor technical changes for qualifying premises and events (Amendments 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13 )
Clarification that attendance of a premise or event for personal attendance reasons is not in scope, as not a Publicly Accessible Locations. Must be a ticketed event, not by invitation, e.g. wedding, private office party (not in scope).
Clarity of guidance provided (Ammendment 5)
Ensuring that guidance and support provided to those in scope of the legislation, is timely, correct and supportive, to enable implementation and compliance with the legislation.
Changes to powers given to Secretary of State (Amendments 7, 8, 9 ):
Ensuring a correct balance to ensure bill can be kept up to date, whilst ensuring safeguards of powers, if used, are used appropriately and proportionately.
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill will establish a tiered approach that is organised directly based on the activity that takes place at a premises or event and the number of individuals that are expected to be present at the same time. Each of the tiers will have unique requirements that they’ll need to achieve to become compliant with the new legislation.
Martyn's Law Compliance for Standard Tier Premises
The scope of the Standard Tier applies to eligible properties with an expected capacity of 200-799, who will be expected to provide proportionate processes to respond to a terrorist attack.
The requirements for Standard Tier premises have been revised for the purposes of the public consultation, with eligible premises likely being required to:
- Notify the Regulator that they are, or have become, responsible for premises within the scope of the Bill (and so subject to the relevant requirements).
- Ensure that a Responsible Person is appointed to manage compliance with the legislation.
- Consider the terrorism threat and relevant attack methodologies.
- Implement proportionate “Public Protection Procedures” to ensure that as far as reasonably practicable that impacts of a terrorist attack are reduced, with procedures for Evacuation, Invacuation, Lockdown, and Communications.
Martyn's Law Compliance for Enhanced Tier Premises and Events
Qualifying premises that are over 800 in maximum occupancy, as well as events over 800 capacity with express permissions for entry, are included within the Enhanced Tier.
Some of the potential requirements will include:
- Ensure that a Responsible Person is appointed to manage compliance with the legislation, and appoint a Designated Senior Individual, responsible for compliance with the legislation.
- Consider the terrorism threat and relevant attack methodologies.
- Implement proportionate “Public Protection Procedures” to ensure that as far as reasonably practicable that impacts of a terrorist attack are reduced, with procedures for Evacuation, Invacuation, Lockdown, and Communications.
- Implement tailored “Public Protection Measures” to provide proportionate protection against acts of terrorism, including processes, people led and physical security mitigations.
- Document compliance in a tailored document, to allow for assessment of compliance, covering the procedures and protection measures in place, and reasoning as to how this reduces risk and / or vulnerability.
The Regulator
The Security Industry Authority, the regulator of the private security industry in the UK, has been confirmed as the regulator for Martyn’s Law.
Their role is expected to encompass:
- Support and Guidance – Advice and guidance to premises and / or events, falling within the scope of the legislation.
- Compliance and Enforcement – With powers to inspect premises, the SIA will enforce implementation of the legislation and hold powers (civil sanctions and criminal offences in the most serious of cases) in the event of non-compliance.
To support the SIA’s role as regulator of Martyn’s Law, the SIA has been moved body under the portfolio of the Homeland Security Group (HSG) and Dan Jarvis MP, the Minister of State of State for Security, to ensure that the regulator function is aligned with the policy and guidance functions of the Act.
Competent Person
A Competent Person Scheme is being developed by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), in support of Martyn’s Law. The intent is to upskill those within the Counter-Terrorism security industry, and ensure required levels of skills, training and competency.
This is established through, either:
Competent Person in the Workplace (CPIW) scheme
Level 3 qualification, open to anyone responsible for implementation of Martyn’s Law within an organisation. Pool Re awaits further details on this scheme, and will provide further updates, where required.
Counter Terrorism Security Specialists Register (CTSSR)
Administered by the Register of Security Engineering Specialists (RSES) providing a centralised register of competent individuals, assessed against a competency standard, whom business can consult for appropriate advice on the implementation of protection procedures or measures within Martyn’s Law.
MARTYN’S LAW RESOURCES
GOVERNMENT FACTSHEETS
Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill 2024 Factsheets:
This library of documents relate to the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyn’s Law, which was introduced in the House of Commons on 12 September 2024.
WEBINAR
‘Prepare to Protect: What you need to know about Martyn’s Law’.
This webinar provides an overview of the draft Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, how it is expected to work, what the insurance industry needs to be prepared for, and available resources.
INTERVIEW
2023 Interview with Figen Murray OBE and Jonathan Gray (Pool Re CUO):
Leading Martyn’s Law campaigner, Figen Murray OBE, and Pool Re’s CUO, Jonathan Gray, discuss the potential impact of Martyn’s Law with Sarah Myerscough at the 2023 BIBA Conference.
