Does it apply to our hall?
Martyn's Law covers premises with at least one building, used for things such as community activities, events and gatherings, where 200 or more people may be present at the same time, from time to time. For halls, count your busiest regular events, such as dances, shows, markets and private parties, including volunteers and helpers.
From 200 to 799 people you are in the standard tier. Many smaller village halls will be under 200, and the law will not apply to them. Your fire risk assessment's maximum occupancy is a useful starting point.
If your hall has more than one use, or is attached to a church or school, the Principal Use of Premises Regulations 2026 decide which use is the main one: the one that best fits what the building is and was built or adapted for. This can affect your tier, so write down how you decided.
What you need to do
At standard tier: whoever controls the hall (often the charity or trustees) notifies the SIA, and makes sure there are simple procedures for evacuation, bringing people inside, lockdown and communication, so far as is reasonably practicable.
- Agree who is responsible. Usually the charity or committee that controls the hall.
- Write a simple plan. Exits, a safer room away from the windows, the doors you can lock and where the keys are.
- Make it work for hirers. Most events are run by hirers, not your volunteers. Give them a one-page notice with the plan, and ask them to sign it as part of the hire agreement.
- Put a copy where people will see it, with the key holder's number and the address for calling 999.
- Check it once a year, or when the hall, the hirers or the guidance change.
Things halls often miss
- Hirers run most events. Your hire agreement can require hirers to follow your procedures, and you should make sure they know them.
- Volunteers change. Keep the plan short, with a prompt card anyone can follow.
- Keep it proportionate. You do not have to buy equipment or pay for training. The point is that whoever is in the hall knows what to do.
Common questions
Our hall holds 180. Does Martyn's Law apply?
No. If fewer than 200 people may be present at the same time, including helpers, the law does not apply. Keep a note of how you worked out the number.
We hire our hall out. Who is responsible?
Usually whoever controls the premises for its main use, often the charity or trustees. Make sure hirers know your procedures; a hirer notice is the simplest way.
Do volunteers count?
Yes. Count everyone you reasonably expect at the same time, including volunteers, helpers and performers.
Is this expensive?
It does not need to be. There is nothing to buy at standard tier, and the free government guidance is a good place to start. If you want it written for you, our Procedures Generator is a one-off £129 and includes a notice for hirers.
Get your procedures in place
Check your venue in two minutes with our free scope checker. Then answer plain-English questions in the Procedures Generator and get your procedures, staff and role cards, hirer notice and records written for you. One-off price, no subscription, and free updates until 12 months after the law comes into force. Produced by the team at 14twenty Productions, with over ten years running live events.
Sources: Home Office, Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 statutory guidance (April 2026); ProtectUK. For the full picture, read Martyn's Law explained. This page is general information, not legal advice, and is not endorsed by the Home Office or the SIA. Last reviewed 23 October 2026.