Martyn's Law for Events: Do One-Off Events Need to Comply?
TL;DR
Events at your standard tier venue are already covered by your existing procedures. Separate ‘qualifying event’ rules only apply at 800+ people with controlled access, and those are enhanced duty, not standard tier.
If you run a venue with 200 to 799 capacity, your premises are already covered by Martyn's Law standard tier. Gigs, weddings, private hire, quiz nights: your existing public protection procedures cover all of that. No extra steps needed.
But Martyn's Law also has a separate category called ‘qualifying events’ that catches large one-off events (800+ people with controlled access). These fall under enhanced duty, not standard tier. This guide explains the rules so you can tell whether a specific event crosses that line, and what happens if it does.
Does Martyn's Law Apply to My Event?
A one-off or temporary event is a ‘qualifying event’ under the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 if two conditions are met: you expect 800 or more people at any one time, and the event has controlled access. Miss either condition and the event is not in scope.
This applies to all kinds of events: festivals, concerts, sporting events, conferences, exhibitions, outdoor markets with fenced perimeters. The Act does not care whether the event is indoors or outdoors, free or ticketed, commercial or charitable. What matters is the numbers and the access controls.
What Is a Qualifying Event?
The Act defines a qualifying event in Section 3. It catches events that take place at premises which are not themselves ‘enhanced duty’ premises. Think of it this way: if a venue is already enhanced tier (800+ capacity), the premises duties already apply. Qualifying event rules exist to catch large events that happen at smaller venues or temporary sites that would otherwise fall outside the Act.
A village hall with 300 capacity is standard tier premises. But if it hosts a ticketed event expecting 900 people (with marquees, outdoor stages, and so on), that specific event becomes a qualifying event with enhanced duty requirements.
The Two Conditions
Both must be met. Not one, both.
| Condition | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 800+ expected at any one time | The greatest number of people reasonably expected to be present simultaneously. Includes staff, volunteers, contractors, and performers. |
| Controlled access | People can only enter by producing a ticket, pass, invitation, or similar means, or they must be checked before entry. |
The 800 figure includes everyone on site at peak time. If your festival expects 1,200 visitors across a full day but never more than 700 at once (because people come and go), you are under the threshold. If 850 are there at the busiest point, you are over it.
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Controlled access means there is a mechanism that restricts who can enter the event. The Home Office factsheet gives these examples:
- Paid or free tickets
- Wristbands
- Membership passes or invitations
- Guest lists
- Security checks at entry points
- Any similar means of controlling who gets in
The important bit: the event does not have to charge for entry. A free festival with fenced perimeters and wristband entry still has controlled access. What matters is whether there is a mechanism to restrict entry, not whether money changes hands.
Examples of Qualifying Events
| Event | Qualifies? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Music festival, 3,000 tickets, fenced site | Yes | 800+ with ticketed entry |
| Charity fun run, 1,200 runners, registration required | Yes | 800+ with controlled access (registration) |
| Conference, 900 delegates, badge entry | Yes | 800+ with badge/pass entry |
| Village fete, 500 visitors, open field, no fencing | No | Under 800 and no controlled access |
| Food market, 1,000 visitors, open street, no tickets | No | No controlled access |
| Ticketed gig, 600 attendees, wristband entry | No | Under 800 |
Events That Do Not Qualify
These are explicitly outside the qualifying event rules:
- Events expecting fewer than 800 people at any one time (regardless of access controls)
- Open-access events with no controlled entry (regardless of size). Think: bonfire night in a public park, a street carnival with no fencing.
- Events at premises already classified as enhanced duty (800+ capacity venue). The premises duties already apply, so separate event duties are not needed.
This is intentional. The Act targets situations where large numbers of people gather in a controlled setting. Open-access gatherings in public spaces are harder to protect in the same way, so the government decided not to include them.
Qualifying Events Are Enhanced Duty
This is the bit that catches people out. Qualifying events are not standard tier. They are subject to enhanced duty requirements, which are much more demanding:
- A document recording the event's public protection procedures and measures must be prepared and (for some events) given to the SIA
- A designated senior individual must be appointed with personal responsibility for compliance
- Both procedural and physical security measures are required (not just procedures)
- Penalties for non-compliance are much higher: up to £18 million or 5% of worldwide revenue
Standard Tier (our product) focuses on standard duty premises with 200 to 799 capacity. If your event qualifies as a qualifying event, you are in enhanced duty territory and may need specialist advice beyond what we offer. But knowing whether you are in scope is the first step.
Who Is Responsible for a Qualifying Event?
The responsible person is whoever has control of the premises in connection with the event. Usually, that is the event organiser. If you are hiring a field and running the show, you are the responsible person.
Where control is shared between the venue and the organiser, both may be responsible persons. In that case, Section 8 of the Act requires them to coordinate with each other (so far as is reasonably practicable). Each remains individually accountable.
For a company or organisation (not an individual), a designated senior individual must be appointed. This person has personal responsibility for making sure the event meets its obligations.
Events at Venues That Already Qualify
This is where it gets slightly complicated. If you are hosting an event at a venue that is already qualifying premises (200+ capacity, Schedule 1 use), the venue already has its own duties under the Act.
The qualifying event rules exist to catch large events at places that are NOT enhanced duty premises. If the venue is already enhanced tier (800+ capacity), the event does not separately trigger qualifying event duties because the premises duties already apply at that level.
If the venue is standard tier (200 to 799 capacity) and your event pushes numbers above 800 with controlled access, the event itself becomes a qualifying event. The venue keeps its standard tier duties. Your event takes on enhanced duty requirements. Both you and the venue operator need to coordinate.
What to Do Next
If your event expects fewer than 800 people, it is not a qualifying event. But the venue it takes place at may still be qualifying premises. Check whether the venue is in scope using our capacity calculator.
If your venue is standard tier (200 to 799 capacity), Standard Tier can help you prepare in 10 minutes: generate your PPP, set up staff training, and build your audit trail.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Martyn's Law apply to my one-off event?
What counts as controlled access?
What if my event is at a venue that already qualifies as premises?
Who is responsible for a qualifying event: the venue or the organiser?
Does a free festival with 800+ people count?
Are qualifying events standard tier or enhanced tier?
Official Sources
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Standard Tier (2026). Martyn's Law for Events: Do One-Off Events Need to Comply?. Available at: https://www.standardtier.co.uk/guide/martyns-law-events
Last reviewed: 3 July 2026. Based on the Act and Home Office factsheets available at the time of writing. Qualifying event requirements may be refined as the SIA finalises its guidance.
This guide is general information about the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, not legal advice. Duties under the Act rest on the responsible person for each venue and cannot be transferred. If you're unsure how a specific requirement applies to your premises, take advice from a solicitor or qualified security adviser before acting on anything you read here.
Standard Tier is an independent platform and is not affiliated with the UK Home Office, the SIA, or any government body.