Alden Legal Limited

Alden Legal has established itself as a leading specialist in commercial, transactional, security and regulatory work in the Communications, Satellite and Space sectors. Working with clients in the UK and internationally, Alden advises on complex areas including: drafting national space and communications laws; communications radio-frequency spectrum issues; launch regulations; access to global spectrum and licences for in-flight, aeronautical and maritime communications; and obtaining pan-European internet-transmission landing rights for terrestrial communications.

As a trusted advisor and sector leader for industry, Alden provides holistic advice across national regulatory, international regulatory, national security, business strategy, strategic finance and liability issues, and the intersection between terrestrial, maritime, aeronautical (including drones) and space issues. Based on its in-depth knowledge and expertise, the firm advises on regulatory and commercial contracts aspects of previously unregulated innovative technology, including in-orbit satellite servicing, large communications satellite constellations, UK launches, complex regulatory communications challenges, and sustainability and insurance issues.

Few firms offer such board-level strategic communications advice and market intelligence. Alden is respected by large magic, silver circle and other international firms who instruct it to assist them and train their staff. Most of the large matters Alden works on have been won in competition with such firms.

Managing Partner, Joanne Wheeler MBE, co-chairs the Spaceflight Safety and Regulatory Council (https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/spaceflight-safety-and-regulatory-council).

Much of Alden’s work is so ground-breaking that it partners with regulators, governments and international organisations to lead policy development governing new innovative technology-driven communications capabilities and activities, and draft commercial contracts to build/supply such technology.

Alden proposed and led ground-breaking work with Government, energy, shipping, terrorism and cyber-security sectors to develop a new market-changing insurance product; a “mutual fund”, addressing insurance market failure, hindering the UK satellite and large communications constellation industry, leading to companies leaving the UK. HM Treasury approved Alden’s proposed mutual fund, which was implemented in 2024 / is set to be implemented in 2025.

Alden helps clients develop solutions to complex multi-disciplinary international issues in the communications and satellite sector, gaining much credibility. This includes assisting the Government of Liechtenstein on complex European communications security issues negatively affecting the US and Europe.

Joanne Wheeler co-wrote and edited the sixth edition of the International Space Law Review (Law Business Research), covering national, European and international communications, spectrum and space laws.

Joanne writes a column for international journal Via Satellite and presents at many conferences annually. Alden publishes monthly regulatory updates and articles.

Alden:

• Runs Satellite Finance Network (https://www.satellitefinancenetwork.org), providing multiple services to small companies across UK industry;
• Established Prospero Space Fellowship (https://prosperofellowship.org), mentoring students to encourage space industry careers;
• Established Earth & Space Sustainability Initiative (https://www.essi.org) bringing together industry, academia, investors, insurers, government stakeholders and international bodies to ensure space supports environmental, economic and scientific interests of future generations on Earth: endorsed by Lloyds of London, UK Government and engagement with The Palace in relation to the Astra Carta;
• Was asked by the UN to train 48 countries on law, regulatory and sustainability issues.