What are the penalties for breaking Martyn's Law?

Updated 2026-10-04 · UK law and HSE guidance

Short answer

When the enforcement provisions commence, the SIA may issue compliance notices and financial penalties. The ordinary maximum is £10,000 for a standard tier contravention. For enhanced tier premises or qualifying events it is normally the greater of £18 million or 5% of qualifying worldwide revenue, with a maximum of £18 million where there is no completed first accounting period. Continued breach of a compliance or restriction notice can attract daily penalties of up to £500 for standard tier and £50,000 for enhanced tier or qualifying events. Some serious failures are criminal offences. These are maximums, not automatic fines.

Key facts
Standard maximum	£10,000 per contravention
Enhanced maximum	Normally the greater of £18 million or 5% of qualifying worldwide revenue
Interview notice maximum	£5,000 for failing to comply with an attendance and questions requirement
Daily maximums	£500 standard; £50,000 enhanced or qualifying event
Regulator	Security Industry Authority (SIA)

How the SIA will regulate

The SIA is the regulator established by the Act. Its functions include giving advice, assessing compliance and taking enforcement action. Its published approach says assessment will include desk-based work and on-site inspections, using a risk-based approach that considers the circumstances of each premises or event.

An authorised inspector will usually give at least 72 hours' written notice before entering to inspect. The Act also allows warrant applications in specified circumstances, including urgent access, refused access or where notice would defeat the purpose. Inspectors can inspect premises, documents and equipment, ask for explanations and require assistance.

Information notices can require information or attendance at an interview
Compliance notices can require a breach to be corrected within a stated period
Restriction notices can limit the use of enhanced tier premises or the continuation of a qualifying event
The SIA must act within the powers and procedures set by the Act

Civil penalty limits

A penalty notice may be issued where the SIA is satisfied on the balance of probabilities that a relevant requirement has been contravened. The £10,000, £18 million and percentage figures are statutory ceilings, not fixed tariffs. The SIA must set an amount it considers appropriate and proportionate.

When setting the amount, the SIA must consider the effects of the breach, action taken to remedy it or reduce its effects, and the person's ability to pay. A penalty notice must allow at least 28 days for payment.

Failure to attend an interview when required: maximum £5,000
Other standard tier contravention: maximum £10,000
Enhanced tier or qualifying event contravention: normally the greater of £18 million or 5% of qualifying worldwide revenue
Where the person has no accounting period or its first accounting period has not ended, the enhanced maximum is £18 million
Otherwise, the revenue calculation uses the most recent complete accounting period and is adjusted if that period is not 12 months

Daily penalties and restrictions

Where a person continues to breach a compliance notice or restriction notice after the deadline for paying the non-compliance penalty, the penalty notice may add a daily amount. The maximum is £500 per day for standard tier premises and £50,000 per day for enhanced tier premises or qualifying events.

Restriction notices apply only to enhanced tier premises and qualifying events. They can impose prohibitions or restrictions on use where the statutory tests are met and the SIA considers them necessary to reduce the risk of physical harm from terrorism.

Daily penalties are discretionary, not automatic
They follow contravention of a compliance notice or restriction notice
A restriction notice can affect how premises are used or whether an event continues
The recipient must have an opportunity to make representations before these notices are given

Criminal offences

Failure to comply with a compliance notice concerning enhanced tier premises or a qualifying event can be a criminal offence. Failure to comply with a restriction notice can also be an offence. For either, it is a defence to show that all reasonable steps were taken to comply. Failure to comply with a standard tier compliance notice is not itself a section 24 criminal offence.

The Act also creates offences involving knowingly or recklessly providing false or misleading information, failing to comply with an information notice, intentionally obstructing an authorised inspector and pretending to be an inspector. On indictment, the most serious offences can carry an unlimited fine, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. Exact summary penalties vary across England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Senior personnel may also be prosecuted in defined circumstances involving consent, connivance or neglect
A designated senior individual is not automatically personally liable for the organisation's civil penalty
Criminal prosecution is separate from the SIA's civil penalty process
Courts determine criminal sentences

Representations, appeals and commencement

Before issuing a penalty notice, the SIA must give the person an opportunity to make representations. A recipient may appeal a compliance notice, restriction notice or penalty notice to the appropriate tribunal within the statutory 28-day period. The Act specifies grounds including factual error, legal error and unfairness or unreasonableness.

As at 4 October 2026, the substantive enforcement regime is not in force. The SIA expects the Act to commence in spring 2027, but the exact date has not been confirmed. Organisations should not describe the maximum amounts as penalties that can already be imposed under these uncommenced duties.

Keep evidence supporting scope, procedures, measures and decisions
Respond accurately and on time to any future statutory notice
Take legal advice promptly if a formal notice is received
Check the SIA's final section 12 guidance when published

Sources

This guide summarises UK law and HSE guidance for small businesses. It is not legal advice; check the sources and your own circumstances.