Martyn's Law – A Simple Guide for Your Building
Martyn's Law is the commonly used name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025.
The Act is intended to improve preparedness and public protection at qualifying premises and events.
Although the Act is now law, the main duties are not yet in force and are expected to commence in spring 2027.
The aim is not to create alarm. It is to encourage proportionate, practical arrangements that help organisations protect people and respond effectively if a terrorist incident occurs.
What Is Martyn's Law?
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 introduces proportionate requirements for certain premises and events where members of the public may be present.
Whether a premises is within scope depends on factors including how it is used and the number of people who can reasonably be expected to be present at the same time.
In broad terms, qualifying premises where between 200 and 799 people may reasonably be expected to be present at the same time will generally fall within the standard tier.
Qualifying premises where 800 or more people may reasonably be expected to be present at the same time will generally fall within the enhanced tier.
Different rules apply to some types of premises, including certain educational premises and places of worship, so each building needs to be considered according to its own use and circumstances.
The purpose is straightforward: to help organisations think ahead about how they would protect people and respond effectively if a terrorist incident occurred.
What Might Your Responsibilities Be?
The exact requirements will depend on the type, use and capacity of the premises.
For organisations within scope, preparation may include considering practical public-protection procedures and ensuring staff understand what they may need to do during an incident.
- Clear communication – considering how important instructions can be communicated to staff, visitors and members of the public.
- Evacuation – considering how people may be moved safely away from danger.
- Invacuation – considering how people may be moved to a safer place within the premises when leaving the building would not be appropriate.
- Lockdown – considering how access to areas may be controlled where remaining securely inside provides greater protection.
- Staff awareness – ensuring relevant staff understand the procedures that apply to the premises.
- Accessible communication – considering how important information can be communicated as effectively as reasonably possible to people with different communication and accessibility needs.
How JPS Systems Can Help
JPS Systems does not provide legal compliance certification for Martyn's Law.
Our role is focused on the communication systems within a building and how effectively they support day-to-day operation and wider emergency preparedness arrangements.
We can assess existing systems and provide practical advice on areas such as:
- Public-address coverage
- Speech intelligibility
- Announcement zoning
- Paging and emergency messaging capability
- Existing system condition and reliability
- Communication at reception and public service points
- Induction loops and assisted-listening provision
- Accessibility signage and practical system usability
- Prioritised recommendations for sensible system improvements
In many buildings, improvement does not necessarily mean replacing the complete system. Existing equipment may be capable of being adjusted, repaired, extended or used more effectively.
Our aim is to identify what is already working, where genuine weaknesses exist and what practical improvements would provide the greatest benefit.
Friendly, Practical Support
Every building is different, and there is no single communication system that automatically makes a premises compliant with Martyn's Law.
We can visit your site, assess the communication systems already in place and explain any weaknesses or opportunities for improvement in straightforward language.
Recommendations are based on the way the building is actually used, with the emphasis on practical, proportionate improvements rather than unnecessary replacement of equipment.
Where appropriate, our findings can form part of the wider information an organisation uses when reviewing its emergency communication and public-protection arrangements.