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Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
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Key definition
EC definition

What does EC mean? In legal practice, “EC” is used as shorthand for two distinct concepts: 1. European Commission: The executive arm of the European Union. While “EC” is not a defined statutory term, the Commission is established by the EU Treaties. UK and Irish lawyers encounter “EC” in EU law and competition law materials, case citations, merger control decisions, and references to pre‑Lisbon instruments titled “Regulation (EC) No …”. Post‑Brexit, the term persists in retained EU law, parallel UK/EU investigations, and cross‑border regulatory matters. 2. Emergency controller: A role title found in emergency planning and health and safety practice (for example, COMAH sites, construction...

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UK defence infrastructure projects: procurement and contracting under DSPCR and Procurement Act 2023, DRA/SSCR single-source QDC reporting, NEC4 2023 updates, sustainability and SME targets

Practice notes
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This Practice Note surveys construction and engineering activity within the UK defence arena. It summarises the Ministry of Defence (MOD)’s spending and procurement approach, the applicable public procurement regime, the Defence Reform Act 2014 (DRA 2014) and Single Source Contract Regulations 2014 (SSCR 2014), plus the deployment of standard form construction contracts. While the DRA 2014 and SSCR 2014 continue to underpin MOD procurement, the framework is shifting. The Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023), refreshed NEC4 frameworks, and enhanced sustainability and SME objectives signal a sustained focus on openness, value for money, and innovation across the defence estate. A significant reorganisation of UK defence commenced in 2025 through the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Reform programme. This Practice Note captures policy and legislative updates to October 2025, including developments under PA 2023, the MOD SME Action Plan 2022–2025, and the 2023 NEC4 contract updates...

Spending policy

Defence is organised into six Top Level Budgets (TLBs):

  • Head Office and Corporate Services
  • Navy Command
  • Army Command
  • Air Command
  • UK Strategic Command (formerly Joint Forces Command)
  • Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO)

The MOD has stated that the defence...

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Andrew Sanderson
Andrew Sanderson

Andrew Charles Sanderson FCILT, MInstTA is a solicitor-advocate and regulatory specialist with over 20 years’ experience advising clients in the defence, aerospace, and national security sectors. He is a Partner in the Regulatory Team at Kingsley Napley LLP, leading on defence procurement, regulatory compliance, and corporate liability matters.Andrew co-founded Matrix Risk Solutions and serves as Chairman of the National Security and Resilience Consortium, working alongside former Tier-1 UK Special Forces and intelligence professionals. He advises Ministry of Defence departments and US-based aviation companies on regulatory liability, compliance, and tendering processes, and regularly conducts internal investigations into bribery, corruption, and health and safety breaches.A seasoned litigator, Andrew has handled High Court litigation, Judicial Reviews, Coroners’ Inquests, and represents organisations and individuals in Health & Safety prosecutions, manslaughter investigations, and PACE interviews. His advocacy and regulatory expertise make him a trusted advisor to senior...

Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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