Nuclear Energy lawyers

Our London team based at Holborn Gate, 330 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7QH, advises developers, investors, contractors and public bodies on nuclear energy projects in England & Wales. We combine regulatory, project, commercial and dispute experience to support the full lifecycle: development and planning, licensing and permits, construction and commissioning, operations, and decommissioning.

Regulatory and licensing landscape

Nuclear projects are governed by a specialised and overlapping regime of safety, environmental, planning and security requirements. Key considerations include nuclear site licensing and regulation of nuclear materials, environmental permits, radioactive substances authorisations, planning consents for nationally significant infrastructure projects, and compliance with reporting and incident regimes. Early engagement with regulators, clear regulatory strategies and integration between consenting and commercial arrangements reduce programme and cost risk.

Transaction, project and commercial support

We advise on project structuring and procurement (including EPC and turn-key models), project finance and securities, joint ventures, supply chain contracting, government and state support arrangements, and export/import controls applicable to nuclear goods and technology. Contract risk allocation should reflect long construction timelines, performance testing and decommissioning liabilities. Commercial documentation must align with regulatory milestones and licence conditions to avoid conflicts at commissioning.

Compliance, safety cases and decommissioning

Regulatory compliance extends through operations to decommissioning. Preparation and maintenance of safety cases, strategies for radioactive waste management, and planning for end-of-life liabilities are critical. The allocation of decommissioning obligations and financial security should be negotiated at the contracting stage. Dispute avoidance mechanisms and clear frameworks for unexpected regulatory change help preserve value across the asset lifecycle.

Practical checklist for sponsors and advisers

• Map applicable licences and permits early (site licence, environmental permits, radioactive substances, construction and planning consents).
• Engage regulators and the Planning Inspectorate at pre-application stage where relevant.
• Align commercial milestones with regulatory deliverables (tests, commissioning, authorisations).
• Allocate decommissioning liabilities and require appropriate financial assurance.
• Ensure supply chain contracts address nuclear-specific export controls, cybersecurity and quality assurance.
• Plan for long-tail liabilities and establish dispute resolution and change control processes.

Jurisdiction and sources

• Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR)
• Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)
• Environment Agency (EA) (environmental permits in England)
• Planning Inspectorate (NSIP regime and planning inquiries)
• Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA)
• legislation.gov.uk (primary legislation and statutory instruments)

General information only; not legal advice and not a substitute for advice on a particular matter.