Update

R20Amend judicial review cost caps
Risk
Government Response: JR reforms extended but cost cap specifics unclear

The Government will extend recent NSIP judicial review reforms to environmental permitting and nuclear site licensing, with consultation in Summer 2026 and legislation to follow. However, the response does not explicitly commit to the Taskforce's specific proposals on cost caps — cascading caps, the 70% crowdfunding cap, the 5x multiplier for decision-maker costs, automatic cost protection removal for misuse, and counsel certification requirements. These detailed mechanisms are subsumed within a broad commitment to "modernise the costs regime." The Government must be pressed to confirm whether the Summer 2026 consultation will cover these specific mechanisms.

govt_response
Source: Policy PaperDESNZ, March 2026

Impact on Overall Status

Status changed to: Clarification Needed
Confidence changed to: low
Broad commitment to JR reform but specific cost cap mechanisms from the Taskforce not explicitly adopted.
Recommendation Context
Chapter: Chapter 7: Environmental Assessments & Permitting
Owner: DEFRA + 1 co-owner
Current Status: Clarification Needed
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Government Response: JR reforms extended but cost cap specifics unclear | R20 | Nuclear Taskforce Tracker