Nuclear Law & Regulation

INTRODUCTION

This article provides an overview of:

1. the new nuclear programme;
2. the English regulatory regime in connection with that programme;
3. considerations for contractors; and
4. civil liability under English Law (and briefly, the interrelationship between English Law and International Law) for third party nuclear damage.

THE NEW UK NUCLEAR PROGRAMME

The election of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition Government (the Coalition Government) earlier this year has given the green light to the new nuclear build programme in the UK and a new era in British energy policy has begun.

In particular, new planning and design regimes have been introduced to pave the way for the substantial new build and these legislative measures have been met by a proactive response from the industry which is also gearing up for the new build. British Energy has been acquired by EDF¹; a 20% stake in British Energy was subsequently sold on by EDF to Centrica; EDF sold