Martyn's Law compliance

Martyn's Law Compliance Support for Hospitality

Martyn's Law compliance starts with knowing whether your premises is in scope, who the responsible person is and which duties apply. Hospli helps hospitality operators prepare, organise procedures, brief staff and maintain evidence without pretending that software can take over the responsible person's legal responsibility.

Quick answer

For ordinary Standard Tier premises, Martyn's Law compliance will centre on notifying the SIA and having appropriate public protection procedures for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication, so far as reasonably practicable. The responsible person remains accountable for meeting the duties when the Act comes into force.

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What does Martyn's Law compliance mean?

Compliance means meeting the legal requirements that apply to the responsible person for qualifying premises or a qualifying event. Those requirements differ between the Standard Tier and Enhanced Tier.

Hospli V1 is intentionally focused on hospitality venues preparing for the Standard Tier. It does not provide an Enhanced Tier compliance workflow.

Martyn's Law Standard Tier compliance requirements

For ordinary qualifying premises where 200 to 799 people may reasonably be expected to be present at the same time from time to time, the Standard Tier generally applies.

When the Act comes into force, the responsible person will need to notify the SIA and have appropriate public protection procedures in place, so far as reasonably practicable.

Evacuation

Procedures for moving people out of the premises or away from danger.

Invacuation

Procedures for moving people to a safer location within the premises where appropriate.

Lockdown

Procedures for restricting access or movement where doing so could reduce physical harm.

Communication

Procedures for communicating information and instructions to people at the premises.

What does “reasonably practicable” mean?

Current SIA guidance describes reasonably practicable as balancing what can be done to achieve the objectives of the public protection procedures against the cost, time and difficulty of implementation.

That means preparation should reflect the particular nature and resources of the premises rather than assuming every hospitality venue needs identical measures.

Can a consultant guarantee Martyn's Law compliance?

A responsible person can seek advice from a knowledgeable adviser and can use third-party products or services to help perform practical work.

However, current official guidance is clear that the responsible person cannot pass on their legal responsibility. They remain responsible for ensuring any support they use is suitable for their premises and effectively delivered.

The SIA and Home Office also state that they cannot endorse or recommend specific companies or services for Martyn's Law compliance.

Is Hospli a Martyn's Law compliance service?

Hospli is better described as Martyn's Law readiness software for hospitality. It supports the work involved in preparation and maintaining a venue record.

Hospli helps you:

check the likely venue pathway;
record the responsible person;
build evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication procedures;
version those procedures when they change;
brief staff and record acknowledgements;
maintain an evidence timeline;
schedule future reviews; and
generate a reproducible Hospli Venue Record Pack.

It does not declare that a venue is legally compliant, issue a government certificate or replace the judgement of the responsible person.

Martyn's Law compliance for pubs

Pub operators should begin with the real operating picture: expected customers, staff, function rooms, outside areas and the relationship between tenants, breweries, pub companies and landlords.

In a tenanted pub, the premises licence holder is not automatically the responsible person. Control of the premises for the relevant use is the key issue.

Read the responsible person guide →

Martyn's Law compliance for restaurants

Restaurants should consider the greatest number of people reasonably expected at the same time, including staff, rather than looking only at seated covers.

Function activity, private dining, entertainment or other uses can affect how the premises should be assessed.

Martyn's Law compliance for hotels

Hotels should consider the combined operating picture: overnight guests, staff, restaurants, bars, conferences, weddings and functions may all be relevant.

Read the dedicated Martyn's Law hotel guide →

Can I become Martyn's Law compliant now?

The SIA currently expects Martyn's Law to come into force inspring 2027, with the exact commencement date still to be confirmed.

Until commencement, hospitality businesses can prepare for the duties and align their arrangements with current statutory guidance. Hospli therefore uses language such as readiness and preparation rather than claiming that a venue has already achieved statutory compliance.

Martyn's Law compliance checklist

Check whether the premises may be in scope.
Establish expected numbers, including staff.
Identify the responsible person.
Understand the likely tier.
Review evacuation arrangements.
Review invacuation arrangements.
Review lockdown arrangements.
Review communication arrangements.
Brief relevant staff.
Maintain evidence and review records.
Keep official guidance under review.

Open the Full Checklist

Martyn's Law compliance FAQs

How do I comply with Martyn's Law?

The exact duties depend on whether premises or an event falls within scope and which tier applies. For Standard Tier premises, the responsible person will need to notify the SIA and have appropriate public protection procedures in place, so far as reasonably practicable, when the Act comes into force.

Can a Martyn's Law compliance company make my venue compliant?

A third party can provide useful support, but the responsible person cannot pass on their legal responsibility. The SIA and Home Office do not endorse or recommend specific companies or services for compliance.

Is Hospli government approved for Martyn's Law compliance?

No. Hospli is an independent readiness and record-keeping platform. It is not government approved, endorsed by the SIA or Home Office, and does not issue a statutory compliance certificate.

What does Standard Tier compliance involve?

For ordinary Standard Tier premises, the current framework centres on notification to the SIA and appropriate public protection procedures covering evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication, so far as reasonably practicable.

Can I be compliant before Martyn's Law comes into force?

The Act is expected to come into force in spring 2027. Before commencement, businesses can prepare for the future duties, but Hospli avoids describing a venue as legally compliant with duties that are not yet in force.

Official sources and current guidance

This page was last reviewed on 4 September 2026 against current Home Office and SIA guidance.

Hospli is independent software for readiness and record keeping. It is not endorsed by the Home Office or SIA, does not certify legal compliance and does not transfer the responsible person's statutory responsibility.