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Developing Legislation

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (Martyn's Law)

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also commonly referred to as Martyn’s Law, seeks to improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK by requiring that those responsible for certain premises and events consider how they would respond to a terrorist attack. In addition to this, at certain larger premises and events, appropriate steps to reduce vulnerability to terrorist attacks must also be considered. Through the Act, qualifying premises and events should be better prepared and protected, ready to respond in the event of a terrorist attack. 

Government Guidance

- Statutory guidance: The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025
- Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025: factsheets
- Martyn's Law: the SIA's new regulatory role
- UK Protect: Martyn's Law

IoL Guidance

Read the IoL's "Martyn's Law Guidance".

The guidance is to introduce members to the radical and important new regime created by The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (otherwise known as Martyn’s Law).

Join the Dicussion on the IoL's Forum
Join our Martyn's Law Special Interest Group

Timeline to the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (Martyn’s Law)

2026
Guidance & Regulation
Guidance and regulatory build‑out

  • 18 May 2026 – Statutory guidance published: Home Office issues statutory guidance on how to comply with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, replacing earlier bill‑stage factsheets.

  • 24 July 2026 – Post‑enactment factsheets published: Updated factsheets for the Act are released, covering scope, duties, enforcement and notification requirements.

  • Expected 2027 – Enforcement date: The implementation period is anticipated to end around 2027 (often cited as April 2027), when the Act’s duties are expected to come fully into force.

2025
Law
Enactment of Martyn’s Law

  • 3 April 2025 – Royal Assent: The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill receives Royal Assent and becomes the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (Martyn’s Law).

  • 2025–2027 – Implementation period begins: Duties under the Act do not commence immediately; a commonly cited 24‑month implementation period is provided for organisations to prepare, with the Security Industry Authority expected to act as regulator.

2024
Formal bill
Formal bill introduction and further consultation

  • 12 September 2024 – Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill introduced in the House of Commons: The Bill, widely known as Martyn’s Law, formally enters Parliament; Home Office publishes a suite of factsheets explaining scope, duties, responsible person, and enforcement.

  • 17 September 2024 – Impact assessment published: Government issues the impact assessment for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, setting out expected costs and benefits.

  • 1 November 2024 – Standard tier consultation: Home Office launches a specific consultation on the standard tier of Martyn’s Law, refining requirements for smaller in‑scope premises and events.

2022–2023
Policy development
Policy development, police and government strategy

  • January 2022 – Government response to Protect Duty consultation: Home Office confirms commitment to bring forward legislation, with Priti Patel stating public protection is a priority.

  • 2022–2023 – Ongoing drafting and engagement: Home Office works with security partners, businesses and policing to shape the proposed duty; counter‑terrorism policing and agencies continue to highlight the need for venue preparedness in public statements and briefings (inferred from Home Office policy papers and CONTEST references).

  • 2 June 2023 – Terrorism (Protection of Premises) draft bill and overarching documents published: Home Office releases draft bill and explanatory papers, setting out the proposed “Martyn’s Law” framework as part of the UK’s CONTEST counter‑terrorism strategy.

  • 2023 – Updated CONTEST strategy: Government’s counter‑terrorism strategy describes the threat as “enduring and evolving” and explicitly references the need for legislation and guidance to protect the public at venues and events.

2020–2021
Inquiry Findings
Government consultation and inquiry findings

  • Spring 2020 – Government announces intention to consult on a Protect Duty: Home Secretary Priti Patel publicly commits to a consultation on new duties for public venues (often referred to as “Protect Duty”).

  • 26 February 2021 – Protect Duty consultation launched: Home Office opens formal consultation on a proposed Protect Duty, covering which premises and events should be in scope and what duties should apply.

  • June 2021 – Manchester Arena Inquiry, Volume 1 (Security for the Arena): Report highlights missed security opportunities and explicitly recommends that a Protect Duty be enacted by primary legislation.

2017–2019
Attack
Attack and early campaigning

  • 22 May 2017 – Manchester Arena attack: Suicide bombing at Manchester Arena kills 22 people, including Martyn Hett, and injures over a thousand.

  • 2017–2018 – Campaign begins: Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray, starts public campaigning for a “Protect Duty” requiring venues to improve preparedness for terrorist attacks.

  • October 2019 – Manchester Arena Inquiry established: Government sets up the public inquiry into the attack, chaired by Sir John Saunders.

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