Who Does Martyn's Law Apply To?
A sector-by-sector breakdown of which premises and events are in scope — and which are exempt.
Martyn's Law applies to qualifying public premises and events with a reasonably expected capacity of 200 or more people. This covers any premises where the public has access — including entertainment and sports venues, retail, hospitality, places of worship, visitor attractions, healthcare, and education settings. Premises with a capacity of 800 or more fall under the enhanced duty. Exemptions are limited and include private dwellings, agricultural land, and some military or Crown premises.
Last reviewed: 8 July 2026
Quick Self-Check Table
| Sector | Typical Tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Places of worship | Standard or Enhanced | Not exempt. In scope if 200+ capacity. |
| Retail | Standard (most); Enhanced (malls) | Shops with 200+ capacity in scope. |
| Hospitality | Standard or Enhanced | Pubs, bars, restaurants, clubs with 200+ capacity. |
| Festivals and events | Standard or Enhanced | Qualifying events with 200+ attendees. |
| Healthcare | Standard or Enhanced | Hospitals and large facilities with 200+ capacity. |
| Further and higher education | Standard or Enhanced | Colleges and universities with 200+ capacity. |
| Village halls and community venues | Standard (most) | In scope if event capacity reaches 200+. |
Sector-by-Sector Breakdown
Places of Worship
Churches, mosques, temples, gurdwaras, and other religious venues are not exempt from Martyn's Law. Whether a place of worship is in scope depends on whether it meets the qualifying capacity threshold of 200 or more and whether the public has access during services or events. Larger places of worship — cathedrals, mega-churches, large mosques — are likely to meet the threshold. Smaller community churches or prayer rooms with capacity under 200 are out of scope. The Home Office fact sheet and sector body guidance (e.g. Church of England statements) provide further detail.
Not automatically exempt. In scope if capacity meets the 200+ threshold and the public has access.
Retail
Retail premises — including individual shops, department stores, and shopping centres — are in scope if their reasonably expected capacity meets the 200-person threshold. Most individual high-street shops will fall below this threshold. However, larger stores and shopping centres with a capacity of 200 or more fall under the standard duty, and those with 800 or more fall under the enhanced duty. The capacity test considers peak shopping periods, sales events, and seasonal footfall.
Shops and shopping centres with 200+ capacity are in scope. Large shopping centres likely enhanced tier.
Hospitality
Hospitality venues — pubs, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, and event spaces — are in scope where their reasonably expected capacity meets the 200-person threshold. Many licensed venues already hold capacity information as part of their licensing conditions. Larger venues, nightclubs, and hotels with conference or event facilities are more likely to be in scope, with the largest venues (800+ capacity) falling under the enhanced duty.
Pubs, bars, restaurants, clubs, and hotels with 200+ capacity are in scope.
Festivals and Outdoor Events
Festivals, outdoor events, concerts, sporting events, and other temporary events are in scope under the Act's definition of "qualifying events." An event is qualifying if it is open to the public (whether or not for payment) and the reasonably expected number of people attending is 200 or more. Large festivals and sporting events with 800 or more attendees fall under the enhanced duty. Event organisers must consider capacity, crowd density, and the temporary nature of the venue when assessing their obligations.
Qualifying events with 200+ attendees are in scope. Large festivals almost certainly enhanced tier.
Healthcare
Healthcare premises — including hospitals, large GP practices, community health centres, and specialist clinics — are in scope where the reasonably expected capacity meets the 200-person threshold. This includes staff, patients, and visitors at peak times. Large hospitals are likely to fall under the enhanced duty (800+ capacity). The unique operational demands of healthcare settings — 24/7 access, vulnerable populations, and infection control — should be considered when developing public protection procedures.
Hospitals, large GP practices, and healthcare facilities with 200+ capacity are in scope.
Further and Higher Education
Further education colleges, universities, and other higher education institutions are in scope where their reasonably expected capacity meets the 200-person threshold. Large lecture theatres, student unions, sports halls, and performance venues within campuses may individually meet the threshold. University campuses with multiple qualifying premises may need to assess each building or venue separately. For school-specific guidance (primary and secondary), see our Martyn's Law for Schools guide.
Colleges, universities, and lecture halls with 200+ capacity are in scope.
Village Halls and Community Venues
Village halls, community centres, parish halls, and similar community venues are in scope where the reasonably expected capacity at a specific event or gathering meets the 200-person threshold. The capacity test applies to the event, not the building — a village hall with a capacity of 150 may still be in scope if it hosts a qualifying event (e.g. a wedding, fete, or community gathering) with 200 or more attendees. Most village halls with regular use below the 200-person threshold will be out of scope.
Community venues with 200+ capacity at events are in scope. Most village halls will be standard tier.
Who Is Exempt from Martyn's Law?
Exemptions are limited. The following premises are generally outside the scope of the Act:
- →Private dwellings (residential homes)
- →Agricultural land and buildings
- →Certain military or Crown premises
- →Premises that are not open to the public
If you are unsure whether your premises is exempt, you should seek professional advice or consult the statutory guidance when published. For the full comparison of tier requirements, see our Standard Tier vs Enhanced Tier guide.
Scope — Common Questions
Who is exempt from Martyn's Law?
Exemptions are limited and include private dwellings, agricultural land, and certain military or Crown premises. Places of worship are not automatically exempt — their inclusion depends on whether they meet the qualifying capacity threshold of 200 or more and whether the public has access. The Home Office fact sheet sets out the full list of exempt premises.
Are churches exempt from Martyn's Law?
No. Churches and other places of worship are not automatically exempt from Martyn's Law. A church, mosque, temple, or other religious venue is in scope if its reasonably expected capacity meets the 200-person threshold and the public has access during services or events. Larger places of worship — such as cathedrals or mega-churches — are likely to be in scope. Smaller community churches with capacity under 200 are out of scope. Sector body guidance, including Church of England statements, provides further detail.
What is a qualifying event for Martyn's Law?
A qualifying event is an event that is open to the public (whether or not for payment) and where the reasonably expected number of people attending is 200 or more. This includes festivals, concerts, sporting events, conferences, community gatherings, and other temporary events. Events with 800 or more attendees fall under the enhanced duty. The event organiser, or the person with control of the event, is the responsible person.
What premises are exempt from Martyn's Law?
Exempt premises include private dwellings (residential homes), agricultural land and buildings, and certain military or Crown premises. The Act does not apply to premises that are not open to the public. The Home Office fact sheet provides the definitive list of exemptions. If you are unsure whether your premises is exempt, you should seek professional advice or consult the statutory guidance when published.