We are genuine nuclear specialists with a deep understanding of international and UK nuclear law and best practice. Our understanding of nuclear regulatory processes has developed from advising nuclear regulators and developers on the consenting of nuclear power projects in the UK and around the world.
We draw on the market leading knowledge and experience of our nuclear experts across the firm to offer a true ‘cradle to grave service’ for SMR and AMR projects, from project development (design, financing, site acquisition, contracting and consenting) through to construction, operation and decommissioning.
Using our nuclear project expertise, we continue to help develop the sector's understanding of the legal hurdles to deployment of SMRs and AMRs in the UK and around the world. Our lawyers are members of key industry bodies in the UK and internationally, including expert working groups dedicated to SMRs.
Areas of focus
Our nuclear lawyers are advising on SMRs projects in the UK and internationally. Our existing expertise which is especially relevant to SMRs includes:
- Corporate structures for nuclear projects.
- Site acquisition.
- The planning process and other consenting including regulatory justification, Radioactive Substances Regulation and non-radiological permits.
- Intellectual property arrangements and technology transfer.
- Financing including government support mechanisms such as the CFD and the nuclear Regulated Asset Base model.
- Sanctions and export controls.
- Funded decommissioning programmes and associated agreements.
- Subsidy control and procurement for nuclear projects.
- Nuclear third party liability and nuclear insurance.
- Operational arrangements including operating models and site co-operation agreements.
- Nuclear regulation and compliance.
- Waste management, storage and disposal.
- The transport of nuclear materials and radioactive waste.
- The development of nuclear legislative and regulatory frameworks in countries new to nuclear in accordance with the IAEA Milestones approach.