Construction law fundamentals

This section provides an introduction to construction law. It includes introductory guides to construction law and construction disputes which are aimed at trainee solicitors and others who are new to construction as a practice area. The first of these guides focuses on the basic principles that apply to construction law and projects, including numerous links to other material that provides more comprehensive information on the topics covered. The latter looks at the work of a construction disputes lawyer, the types of disputes

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Latest Construction News

Commission launches consultation on New Legislative Framework revision

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW H4) has launched a consultation to support the revision of the New Legislative Framework (NLF) for product legislation, aiming to ensure that the reform reflects stakeholder perspectives on digitalisation, circularity and regulatory efficiency. Feedback will inform an impact assessment and the legislative proposal, with a factual summary published eight weeks after the consultation closes. A comprehensive synopsis report will accompany the impact assessment, explaining how stakeholder input shaped the initiative. Adoption of the proposal is planned for the third quarter of 2026. The consultation closes on 4 February 2026.

Draft National Policy Statement for Nuclear Energy Generation (EN-7) designated following consultation

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has confirmed the designation of the National Policy Statement (NPS) for Nuclear Energy Generation (EN-7), providing the primary planning framework for decisions on development consent for nuclear infrastructure in England and Wales. The statement will guide the Secretary of State’s decision-making under the Planning Act 2008 and ensure consistency across the planning and regulatory regimes governing nuclear fission projects. EN-7 complements the overarching energy NPS (EN-1) and supports delivery of the government’s commitment to deploy new nuclear capacity to achieve net zero by 2050.The government’s consultation outcome report (November 2025) confirms that stakeholders broadly supported EN-7’s scope and criteria, and that no material amendments were required to the draft text. It also sets out the government’s next steps for implementation and associated guidance.

BPF sets out policy recommendations to address development viability crisis

The British Property Federation (BPF) has published policy recommendations to address what it describes as a development viability crisis, citing Savills analysis showing build-to-rent construction starts dropped 77% from 26,559 units in 2022 to 6,114 in 2025. The BPF attributes the crisis to Building Safety Regulator delays, market conditions and tax changes including last year's abolition of Stamp Duty Land Tax Multiple Dwellings Relief. Recommendations include regulatory stability, removing council tax and business rates on empty newly developed units and reintroducing SDLT support for high-density housing.

Welsh Government updates guidance on transitional provisions for new infrastructure consenting process

The Welsh Government has updated its guidance on transitional provisions for the new infrastructure consenting process, which commences on 15 December 2025.