Timeline & Current Status
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 — from campaign to Royal Assent to implementation. This page is kept current and reviewed regularly.
Martyn's Law is not yet in force. The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025, but its duties do not come into effect immediately. An implementation period — expected to run until 2027 — gives duty-holders time to prepare. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is expected to be confirmed as the regulator. The exact enforcement date has not yet been announced.
Last reviewed: 8 July 2026
Chronological Timeline
Manchester Arena Bombing
A terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena killed 22 people, including 29-year-old Martyn Hett. The attack became the catalyst for the campaign that would become known as Martyn's Law.
Figen Murray Campaign
Martyn Hett's mother, Figen Murray, launched a sustained public campaign calling for new legislation to improve public protection preparedness. She proposed the concept of a "Protect Duty" to make venues better prepared for terrorist attacks.
Bill Introduced to Parliament
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill was introduced to Parliament, formally beginning the legislative process. The bill was also known as "Martyn's Law" in recognition of Figen Murray's campaign.
Royal Assent
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. The Act became law, but its duties do not come into force immediately — an implementation period allows duty-holders time to prepare.
Implementation Period
The Act includes an implementation period — commonly cited as 24 months — before the duties come into force. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is expected to be the regulator. The implementation date is expected to be in 2027, with April 2027 frequently cited.
What's Changed Recently
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. The implementation period is underway. No confirmed enforcement date has yet been announced.
What Organisations Should Do Right Now
The implementation period is not a reason to wait — it is the time in which prepared organisations get ahead. Regardless of the exact enforcement date, organisations should:
- →Determine whether your premises or event is in scope (200+ capacity threshold)
- →Establish whether standard or enhanced duty applies (200–799 or 800+)
- →Identify the responsible person — and, if enhanced-tier, appoint a Designated Senior Individual
- →Review existing evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication procedures
- →Plan staff awareness training
- →Begin documenting public protection procedures
Timeline — Common Questions
Is Martyn's Law in force yet?
No. The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025, but its duties are not yet in force. The Act includes an implementation period — expected to be around 24 months — to give duty-holders time to prepare. The expected enforcement date is in 2027, with April 2027 commonly cited.
When does Martyn's Law come into effect?
The exact enforcement date has not yet been confirmed. The implementation period is expected to run until 2027. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is expected to be confirmed as the regulator, after which the duties will come into force. Organisations should not wait for the exact date — the implementation period is the time to prepare.
Why was Martyn's Law introduced?
Martyn's Law was introduced in response to the Manchester Arena bombing on 22 May 2017, which killed 22 people including Martyn Hett. His mother, Figen Murray, led a public campaign arguing that venues and events should be legally required to be better prepared for the threat of terrorism. The Act places a proportionate duty on those responsible for public premises to reduce the risk of harm and improve preparedness.
When did Martyn's Law get Royal Assent?
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. This is the date the Bill completed its passage through Parliament and became law. The Act's duties do not come into force immediately — an implementation period follows Royal Assent.