Pinsent Masons part of consortium appointed to advise NuclearWaste Services on UK Geological Disposal and Waste Repository Projects

The leading law firms have been appointed by NWS under a framework agreement to provide legal services in relation to the consenting and operation of NWS’ key capital programmes including the Geological Disposal Facility programme, and the development and the ongoing operation of the Low Level Waste Repository, near Drigg, in Cumbria.

The appointments will see the three firms work closely with NWS’ in-house legal team and its business partners to deliver legal support for this critical work of national importance.

Created in January 2022, NWS is a subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and focuses on the safe and secure management and disposal of the UK’s nuclear waste.

The procurement allows NWS access to high quality, dynamic and innovative external legal advisors with significant market experience. Burges Salmon, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer and Pinsent Masons were selected for their extensive expertise in infrastructure development and nuclear regulation, as well as their collaborative approach in delivering complex infrastructure projects.

Lead partners at Burges Salmon (Ian Truman), Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (Silke Goldberg) and Pinsent Masons (Richard Griffiths) together commented: “We are all proud and delighted to have been appointed to this panel to work with NWS on its programmes and projects of critical national importance. NWS’ role in operating the low level waste repository, and in implementing geological disposal, is complex and challenging and we very much look forward to working with NWS and drawing on our expertise in planning, environmental and public sector law in helping to deliver the management of the nation’s radioactive wastes.”

Vicky Bennett, General Counsel and Company Secretary at Nuclear Waste Services, said: “The team has carried out a thorough process to appoint external legal advisors to work closely with each other and our in-house legal team to provide high-calibre legal advice to NWS on the planning, consenting and regulatory aspects of its infrastructure and development programmes. This includes NWS’ critical work with the Geological Disposal Facility programme and the Low Level Waste Repository.

“We are grateful for the time invested by the legal services market and are delighted to have appointed three firms: Burges Salmon, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer and Pinsent Masons, whom we are looking forward to working with.”