The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has closed its consultation on the draft section 12 statutory guidance for Martyn's Law. The consultation ran from 15 April to 11:59pm on 12 June 2026. The SIA is now analysing responses and finalising the guidance, which needs the Secretary of State's approval before publication.
This matters because section 12 sets out how the SIA will act as the UK-wide regulator once the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 commences. It explains how the regulator will make compliance decisions, when it may use its enforcement powers, and how financial penalties will be set. The Act backs this with compliance notices, restriction notices and monetary penalties for serious or persistent non-compliance.
The Act received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025 and splits in-scope premises and events into two tiers by capacity. The standard tier covers premises where 200 to 799 people may be present. The enhanced tier covers larger premises and qualifying events where 800 or more may be present, with heavier duties. Commencement is expected in spring 2027, after an implementation period of at least 24 months.
Practical detail — how to notify the SIA and what to submit — will follow later, with the online notification system expected in early 2027. You cannot register premises yet.
**For operators:** do not wait for spring 2027. Work out which tier each site or event falls into using realistic peak capacity, not tickets sold. Standard-tier duty-holders need simple, low-cost public protection procedures: evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication. Enhanced-tier sites must also document an assessment of measures. Name a responsible person for each premises now, read the Home Office guidance, and fold terrorism-protection steps into existing fire and health-and-safety routines so you are not starting cold when notification opens.
