Nuclear law experts from Bristol-headquartered Burges Salmon are to give legal advice to some of the UK’s top atomic scientists as they look to revolutionise power generation by harnessing fusion energy.
The firm has been appointed as the principal legal provider to the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) legal services panel to support its research and development work on fusion energy. 
The UKAEA’s activities have grown significantly in recent years, resulting in an increased need for expert legal advice across a number of its programmes.
Burges Salmon’s role over the next four years will be to provide advice on the UKAEA’s pioneering work in a wide range of fusion research programmes, including the ambitious Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme.
STEP aims to design and build a prototype power plant that demonstrates the commercial viability of fusion – the process that powers the sun – as well as a significant campus development programme called Fusion Foundations in Oxfordshire.
Scientists have long believed that replicating fusion on Earth could provide limitless energy with minimal environmental impact for generations to come. The UKAEA is now working to create and harness fusion energy to provide carbon-free, safe and abundant electricity.
STEP head of commercial and programme development Tris Denton said: “It’s great to be working with Burges Salmon on our exciting STEP programme. Their expert advice will be invaluable to us as we develop our plans to demonstrate the commercial viability of fusion in the decades ahead.”
The Burges Salmon 50-strong nuclear team is led by its head of nuclear Ian Salter, pictured, who is recognised as an expert in nuclear regulation and international nuclear law.
He said: “We are delighted to be supporting UKAEA on their important mission to continue to develop fusion energy.
“The unique STEP programme raises a series of first-of-a-kind legal issues in the UK and we are looking forward to working with the UKAEA team as the project moves forward.”
Ian Salter is also a founding partner of Burges Salmon’s environmental law team.
He chairs the Nuclear Industry Association’s legal and financial affairs working group and acts as the UK representative on the board of the International Nuclear Law Association, with which he has been actively involved since 1999.
Pictured, top: Tokamak Energy’s ST40 device. Photo © Tokamak Energy
