Award

Planning and Major Permissions, Environmental and Public Law Services

NUCLEAR WASTE SERVICES LIMITED

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

25 Sep 2025 at 10:06

Tender

18 Jul 2024 at 13:22

Planning

29 Aug 2023 at 13:22

Summary of the contracting process

Nuclear Waste Services Limited is the buying organisation behind a major procurement process titled "Planning and Major Permissions, Environmental and Public Law Services," focusing on legal services within the UK. This contract falls under the services industry category and covers legal advice related to planning, environmental, and public law areas, among others. The process, initiated as a tender and conducted through an open procedure, recently concluded with three active contract awards signed on 22nd September 2025. The procurement approach was framed within the substantial infrastructural projects, such as the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF), with a procurement value up to £44 million as anticipated per the 2024 planning phase.

The procurement provides significant opportunities for businesses with expertise in legal advisory services, especially those familiar with large-scale infrastructural projects and environmental law. Large legal firms such as Herbert Smith Freehills, Burges Salmon LLP, and Pinsent Masons demonstrated success in securing contracts. The framework agreement spans ten years, indicating a sustained engagement for proficient firms capable of delivering consistent legal support over long durations. This is a lucrative prospect for law firms looking to expand their portfolio in the nuclear and environmental sectors by providing specialised legal services to prominent clients like the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Sellafield Ltd, among others. With a focus on quality and social value, alongside competitive pricing, enterprises adept in these areas can find this contract beneficial for long-term business growth.

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Notice Title

Planning and Major Permissions, Environmental and Public Law Services

Notice Description

The provision of legal advice on the following areas of law; Planning, Major Permissions, Environmental, Land and Public Law. Community Engagement, Site Evaluation, and Consenting of the GDF.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The provision of legal advice on the following areas of law; Planning, Major Permissions, Environmental, Land and Public Law. Community Engagement, Site Evaluation, and Consenting of the GDF.

Options: 1+1+1

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-03f7ab
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059571-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79100000 - Legal services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£44,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£44,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
12 Sep 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
1 Sep 2024Expired
Award Date
21 Sep 20255 months ago
Contract Period
30 Apr 2025 - 30 Apr 2035 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NUCLEAR WASTE SERVICES LIMITED
Additional Buyers

DIRECT RAIL SERVICES LIMITED

INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR SERVICES LIMITED

NUCLEAR DECOMMISSIONING AUTHORITY

NUCLEAR RESTORATION SERVICES LIMITED

RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT LIMITED

SELLAFIELD LTD

Contact Name
James Hicks
Contact Email
james.hicks@nuclearwasteservices.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
DIDCOT
Postcode
OX11 0GD
Post Town
Oxford
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD1 Cumbria
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD13 Cumberland
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Cumberland
Electoral Ward
Belah
Westminster Constituency
Carlisle

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
3
Supplier Names

BURGES SALMON

HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS

PINSENT MASONS

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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