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The nuclear team forms part of the Martineau Johnson energy team and comprises specialist lawyers with extensive experience of nuclear, construction, planning and environmental law.

Whether you are involved in the decommissioning of one of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's legacy nuclear sites, a supplier of equipment or services, a consultancy or are involved in waste management, our understanding of the legislative framework which underpins the nuclear industry means that we are well placed to provide advice to you.

Our services

We provide a full range of legal services in areas which may be of direct relevance to your business including:

Industry Regulation  

• We have extensive experience acting for clients in the regulated markets, including advising on energy statutes, regulatory instruments and licensing processes.

• We advise on industry documentation (including the Balancing and Settlement Code) and energy trading products.

Health and Safety

We have a wealth of experience in health and safety matters which in the nuclear industry is paramount. We assist our clients, who include players in the nuclear industry, with health and safety investigations and inspections, representation at HSE, Environment Agency and how to handle corporate duties and liabilities. Our experience also includes advising on safety cases for buildings at BNFL and for each stage of the building’s life from commissioning through to decommissioning. This included HAZOPs (risk assessments for the processes carried out in that building) and HAZANs (systems, procedures and equipment identified to prevent incidents occurring).

Environmental  

• Our environmental law capability covers both contentious and non-contentious matters. We advise on environmental legal issues in a wide variety of corporate, property and banking transactions. We advise business sectors on contaminated land liability and remediation, environmental liabilities, flood risk assessments, waste management and pollution.

• Environmental law specialist Angela Healy was seconded to British Nuclear Fuels plc for 2 years where she gained a wide understanding of the regulatory framework within which the nuclear industry operates including compliance with Site Licence regulations, issues relating to pollution, nuclear waste reprocessing and disposal and the transportation of spent nuclear fuel.

• In the context of site clean up and re-use we help clients identify and manage sites where remediation may be required, assist with the engagement of contractors, and advise on strategies for remediation, development and sale. We also advise on compliance matters and assist clients in their dealings with environmental regulators such as the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive.

Planning

We offer a full planning service (ranging from advice on the planning application process to judicial review) including advice on compulsory purchase, nature conservation designations (such as Sites of Scientific Interest), environmental impact assessment procedures, public rights of way, conservation and enforcement issues.

Construction

Michael Craik who heads up the Nuclear Team is a construction law specialist. Michael along with other members of the construction team act for several major civil and engineering contractors involved in work such as nuclear research facilities, decommissioning at Sellafield, on-shore oil production facilities and landfills.  

key expertise:

Michael Craik
Partner
michael.craik@martjohn.com

Angela Healy
Senior Associate
angela.healy@martjohn.com