diff --git a/services/common/src/components/project/ProjectDescriptionTab.tsx b/services/common/src/components/project/ProjectDescriptionTab.tsx
index 4d4f10f1b0..c8180a85f6 100644
--- a/services/common/src/components/project/ProjectDescriptionTab.tsx
+++ b/services/common/src/components/project/ProjectDescriptionTab.tsx
@@ -395,7 +395,7 @@ const ProjectDescriptionTab = () => {
                 <Typography.Title level={2}>Project Description Overview</Typography.Title>
               </Col>
               <Col>
-                <Button onClick={handleViewProjectDescriptionClicked} type="primary">
+                <Button onClick={handleViewProjectDescriptionClicked} type="primary" data-cy="view-project-description-details-button">
                   View Project Description Details
                 </Button>
               </Col>
diff --git a/services/common/src/components/project/__snapshots__/ProjectDescriptionTab.spec.tsx.snap b/services/common/src/components/project/__snapshots__/ProjectDescriptionTab.spec.tsx.snap
index b8da1de048..a687f63768 100644
--- a/services/common/src/components/project/__snapshots__/ProjectDescriptionTab.spec.tsx.snap
+++ b/services/common/src/components/project/__snapshots__/ProjectDescriptionTab.spec.tsx.snap
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ exports[`ProjectDescriptionTab renders properly 1`] = `
         >
           <button
             class="ant-btn ant-btn-primary"
+            data-cy="view-project-description-details-button"
             type="button"
           >
             <span>
diff --git a/services/common/src/components/projectSummary/AuthorizationsInvolved.tsx b/services/common/src/components/projectSummary/AuthorizationsInvolved.tsx
index 39374585cf..422b8eee56 100644
--- a/services/common/src/components/projectSummary/AuthorizationsInvolved.tsx
+++ b/services/common/src/components/projectSummary/AuthorizationsInvolved.tsx
@@ -571,7 +571,7 @@ export const AuthorizationsInvolved: FC<ProjectSummaryFormComponentProps> = ({ f
 
   const systemFlag = useSelector(getSystemFlag);
   const isCore = systemFlag === SystemFlagEnum.core;
-  const envFieldsDisabled = areAuthEnvFieldsDisabled(systemFlag, formValues?.status_code);
+  const envFieldsDisabled = areAuthEnvFieldsDisabled(systemFlag, formValues?.status_code, formValues?.confirmation_of_submission);
 
   const handleChange = (e, code) => {
     if (e.target.checked) {
diff --git a/services/common/src/components/projectSummary/ProjectManagement.tsx b/services/common/src/components/projectSummary/ProjectManagement.tsx
index 8da41ccf47..2e4f3229c3 100644
--- a/services/common/src/components/projectSummary/ProjectManagement.tsx
+++ b/services/common/src/components/projectSummary/ProjectManagement.tsx
@@ -107,10 +107,18 @@ export const ProjectManagement: FC = () => {
             component={RenderSelect}
             data={projectLeadData}
           />
+          {isProjectLeadAssigned && (
+            <Paragraph>
+              <b>Warning:</b> Unassigning the project lead will set the Project Description status to
+              'Submitted' in MineSpace. Ensure the status is correct before proceeding.
+            </Paragraph>
+          )}
           {!isNewProject && !isProjectLeadAssigned && (
             <Alert
-              message="This project does not have a Project Lead"
-              description={<p>Please assign a Project Lead to this project.</p>}
+              message="Assign a Project Lead"
+              description={<p>Assigning a Project Lead will set the Project Description status
+                to 'Assigned' in Core and 'Submitted' in MineSpace. Please ensure the project
+                is set at the correct status before continuing.</p>}
               type="warning"
               showIcon
             />
diff --git a/services/common/src/components/projectSummary/ProjectSummaryForm.tsx b/services/common/src/components/projectSummary/ProjectSummaryForm.tsx
index 18d16bff86..b3914d75b7 100644
--- a/services/common/src/components/projectSummary/ProjectSummaryForm.tsx
+++ b/services/common/src/components/projectSummary/ProjectSummaryForm.tsx
@@ -99,11 +99,11 @@ export const ProjectSummaryForm: FC<ProjectSummaryFormProps> = ({
     getProjectSummaryAuthorizationTypesArray
   );
   const formValues = useSelector(getFormValues(FORM.ADD_EDIT_PROJECT_SUMMARY)) as IProjectSummaryForm;
-  const { status_code } = formValues ?? {};
+  const { status_code, confirmation_of_submission } = formValues ?? {};
 
-  const fieldsDisabled = areFieldsDisabled(systemFlag, status_code);
+  const fieldsDisabled = areFieldsDisabled(systemFlag, status_code, confirmation_of_submission);
   const docFieldsDisabled = areDocumentFieldsDisabled(systemFlag, status_code);
-  const authFieldsDisabled = areAuthFieldsDisabled(systemFlag, status_code);
+  const authFieldsDisabled = areAuthFieldsDisabled(systemFlag, status_code, confirmation_of_submission);
 
   const handleTransformPayload = (valuesFromForm: any) => {
     return formatProjectPayload(valuesFromForm, { projectSummaryAuthorizationTypesArray });
diff --git a/services/common/src/components/projectSummary/__snapshots__/ProjectManagement.spec.tsx.snap b/services/common/src/components/projectSummary/__snapshots__/ProjectManagement.spec.tsx.snap
index 4d3d3fee0d..5d8eb78cb2 100644
--- a/services/common/src/components/projectSummary/__snapshots__/ProjectManagement.spec.tsx.snap
+++ b/services/common/src/components/projectSummary/__snapshots__/ProjectManagement.spec.tsx.snap
@@ -360,13 +360,13 @@ exports[`Project Management renders properly 1`] = `
           <div
             class="ant-alert-message"
           >
-            This project does not have a Project Lead
+            Assign a Project Lead
           </div>
           <div
             class="ant-alert-description"
           >
             <p>
-              Please assign a Project Lead to this project.
+              Assigning a Project Lead will set the Project Description status to 'Assigned' in Core and 'Submitted' in MineSpace. Please ensure the project is set at the correct status before continuing.
             </p>
           </div>
         </div>
diff --git a/services/common/src/components/projects/projectUtils.spec.ts b/services/common/src/components/projects/projectUtils.spec.ts
index f37cf954d5..9e2c750bf3 100644
--- a/services/common/src/components/projects/projectUtils.spec.ts
+++ b/services/common/src/components/projects/projectUtils.spec.ts
@@ -59,9 +59,20 @@ TEST_PARAMETERS.forEach(
                     expect(result).toBe(true);
                 });
             });
+
+            if (label !== "areDocumentFieldsDisabled") {
+                const noSubmissionMinespaceDisabledStatuses = [...msDisabledStatuses].filter((status) => status !== "ASG");
+                noSubmissionMinespaceDisabledStatuses.forEach((status) => {
+                    it(`MS status: ${status} Should return true (disabled) when submission has not occured`, () => {
+                        const result = testFunction(SystemFlagEnum.ms, status);
+                        expect(result).toBe(true);
+                    });
+                })
+            }
+
             msDisabledStatuses.forEach((status) => {
-                it(`MS status: ${status} Should return true (disabled)`, () => {
-                    const result = testFunction(SystemFlagEnum.ms, status);
+                it(`MS status: ${status} Should return true (disabled) when submission has occured`, () => {
+                    const result = testFunction(SystemFlagEnum.ms, status, true);
                     expect(result).toBe(true);
                 });
             });
@@ -72,6 +83,7 @@ TEST_PARAMETERS.forEach(
                     expect(result).toBe(false);
                 });
             });
+
             msEnabledStatuses.forEach((status) => {
                 it(`MS status: ${status} Should return false (enabled)`, () => {
                     const result = testFunction(SystemFlagEnum.ms, status);
diff --git a/services/common/src/components/projects/projectUtils.ts b/services/common/src/components/projects/projectUtils.ts
index 4f0d47ac3c..d40af6ab12 100644
--- a/services/common/src/components/projects/projectUtils.ts
+++ b/services/common/src/components/projects/projectUtils.ts
@@ -1,27 +1,23 @@
 import { PROJECT_STATUS_CODES, SystemFlagEnum } from "@mds/common/constants/enums";
 import { memoize } from "lodash";
 
-export const areFieldsDisabled = memoize((systemFlag: SystemFlagEnum, projectSummaryStatusCode: string) => {
+export const areFieldsDisabled = memoize((systemFlag: SystemFlagEnum, projectSummaryStatusCode: string, confirmationOfSubmission?: boolean) => {
     // Return false (enabled) if status = "" => "Not Started"
     const isStatusInEnum = (<any>Object).values(PROJECT_STATUS_CODES).includes(projectSummaryStatusCode);
-
     if (!isStatusInEnum) return false;
     const projectSummaryStatus = projectSummaryStatusCode as PROJECT_STATUS_CODES;
-
     const disabledStatuses = [PROJECT_STATUS_CODES.WDN, PROJECT_STATUS_CODES.COM];
-
     const enabledStatuses = systemFlag === SystemFlagEnum.core
         ? [PROJECT_STATUS_CODES.DFT, PROJECT_STATUS_CODES.ASG, PROJECT_STATUS_CODES.UNR, PROJECT_STATUS_CODES.CHR, PROJECT_STATUS_CODES.OHD, PROJECT_STATUS_CODES.SUB]
-        : [PROJECT_STATUS_CODES.DFT, PROJECT_STATUS_CODES.CHR];
+        : [PROJECT_STATUS_CODES.DFT, PROJECT_STATUS_CODES.CHR, ...(!confirmationOfSubmission ? [PROJECT_STATUS_CODES.ASG] : [])];
 
     if (disabledStatuses.includes(projectSummaryStatus)) return true;
     return !enabledStatuses.includes(projectSummaryStatus);
-
 },
     (systemFlag: SystemFlagEnum, projectSummaryStatusCode: string) => `${systemFlag}_${projectSummaryStatusCode}`);
 
-export const areAuthFieldsDisabled = memoize((systemFlag: SystemFlagEnum, projectSummaryStatusCode: string) => {
-    const fieldsDisabled = areFieldsDisabled(systemFlag, projectSummaryStatusCode);
+export const areAuthFieldsDisabled = memoize((systemFlag: SystemFlagEnum, projectSummaryStatusCode: string, confirmationOfSubmission?: boolean) => {
+    const fieldsDisabled = areFieldsDisabled(systemFlag, projectSummaryStatusCode, confirmationOfSubmission);
     if (fieldsDisabled) return true;
 
     const extraDisabledStatuses = [PROJECT_STATUS_CODES.CHR, PROJECT_STATUS_CODES.UNR];
@@ -29,8 +25,8 @@ export const areAuthFieldsDisabled = memoize((systemFlag: SystemFlagEnum, projec
     return authDisabled;
 }, (systemFlag: SystemFlagEnum, projectSummaryStatusCode: string) => `${systemFlag}_${projectSummaryStatusCode}`);
 
-export const areAuthEnvFieldsDisabled = memoize((systemFlag, projectSummaryStatusCode) => {
-    const authFieldsDisabled = areAuthFieldsDisabled(systemFlag, projectSummaryStatusCode);
+export const areAuthEnvFieldsDisabled = memoize((systemFlag: SystemFlagEnum, projectSummaryStatusCode: string, confirmationOfSubmission?: boolean) => {
+    const authFieldsDisabled = areAuthFieldsDisabled(systemFlag, projectSummaryStatusCode, confirmationOfSubmission);
     if (authFieldsDisabled) return true;
 
     const extraDisabledStatuses = systemFlag === SystemFlagEnum.core
@@ -56,7 +52,6 @@ export const areDocumentFieldsDisabled = memoize((systemFlag: SystemFlagEnum, pr
 
     if (disabledStatuses.includes(projectSummaryStatus)) return true;
     return !enabledStatuses.includes(projectSummaryStatus);
-
 },
     (systemFlag: SystemFlagEnum, projectSummaryStatusCode: string) => `${systemFlag}_${projectSummaryStatusCode}`);
 
diff --git a/services/common/src/interfaces/projects/projectSummary.interface.ts b/services/common/src/interfaces/projects/projectSummary.interface.ts
index fb3bd5693a..1dbbeef19b 100644
--- a/services/common/src/interfaces/projects/projectSummary.interface.ts
+++ b/services/common/src/interfaces/projects/projectSummary.interface.ts
@@ -64,4 +64,5 @@ export interface IProjectSummaryForm extends Omit<IProjectSummary, "authorizatio
   legal_land_desc: string;
   facility_pid_pin_crown_file_no: string;
   zoning: boolean;
+  confirmation_of_submission?: boolean;
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/services/core-api/app/api/projects/project_summary/models/project_summary.py b/services/core-api/app/api/projects/project_summary/models/project_summary.py
index 5cc169a715..543938d59a 100644
--- a/services/core-api/app/api/projects/project_summary/models/project_summary.py
+++ b/services/core-api/app/api/projects/project_summary/models/project_summary.py
@@ -1045,9 +1045,9 @@ def update(self,
 
         # Update simple properties.
         # If we assign a project lead update status to Assigned and vice versa Submitted.
-        if project_lead_party_guid and project.project_lead_party_guid is None:
+        if project_lead_party_guid and project.project_lead_party_guid is None and self.status_code == status_code:
             self.status_code = "ASG"
-        elif project_lead_party_guid is None and project.project_lead_party_guid:
+        elif project_lead_party_guid is None and project.project_lead_party_guid and self.status_code == status_code:
             self.status_code = "SUB"
         else:
             self.status_code = status_code
@@ -1327,7 +1327,7 @@ def send_project_summary_email(self, mine, message) -> None:
             'COM': [PERM_RECL_EMAIL, project_lead_email]
         }
 
-        send_ms_email = self.status_code != "DFT"
+        send_ms_email = self.status_code != "DFT" and self.status_code != "ASG"
         
         emli_recipients = emli_emails.get(self.status_code)
         cc = [MDS_EMAIL]
diff --git a/services/core-api/app/api/projects/project_summary/resources/project_summary.py b/services/core-api/app/api/projects/project_summary/resources/project_summary.py
index 6afa4a97f5..ee9302e108 100644
--- a/services/core-api/app/api/projects/project_summary/resources/project_summary.py
+++ b/services/core-api/app/api/projects/project_summary/resources/project_summary.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 from app.api.activity.utils import trigger_notification
 from app.api.projects.project.project_util import notify_file_updates
 from decimal import Decimal
+from app.api.activity.models.activity_notification import ActivityRecipients
 
 PAGE_DEFAULT = 1
 PER_PAGE_DEFAULT = 25
@@ -206,7 +207,7 @@ def put(self, project_guid, project_summary_guid):
         project = Project.find_by_project_guid(project_guid)
         data = self.parser.parse_args()
         is_historic = data.get('is_historic')
-        
+        activity_recipients = ActivityRecipients.all_users
         project_summary_validation = project_summary.validate_project_summary(data, is_historic)
         if any(project_summary_validation[i] != [] for i in project_summary_validation):
             current_app.logger.error(f'Project Summary schema validation failed with errors: {project_summary_validation}')
@@ -280,6 +281,7 @@ def put(self, project_guid, project_summary_guid):
 
             if project_summary.status_code == 'ASG':
                 message = f'{project.project_title} for {project.mine_name} has been assigned'
+                activity_recipients = ActivityRecipients.core_users
 
             if project_summary.status_code == 'CHR':
                 message = f'Changes have been requested by the ministry for {project.project_title} at {project.mine_name}'
@@ -295,12 +297,12 @@ def put(self, project_guid, project_summary_guid):
 
             if project_summary.status_code == 'COM':
                 message = f'The status of the project description {project.project_title} for {project.mine_name} has been completed'
-                
-            project_summary.send_project_summary_email(mine, message)
-            trigger_notification(message, ActivityType.major_mine_desc_submitted, project.mine, 'ProjectSummary',
-                                    project_summary.project_summary_guid, extra_data)
-        
 
+            if message != '':
+                project_summary.send_project_summary_email(mine, message)
+                trigger_notification(message, ActivityType.major_mine_desc_submitted, project.mine, 'ProjectSummary',
+                                        project_summary.project_summary_guid, extra_data, None, activity_recipients)
+        
         # notify on document updates
         if has_new_documents:
             notify_file_updates(project, mine, project_summary.status_code)
diff --git a/services/core-api/tests/projects/project_summaries/resources/test_project_summary_emails.py b/services/core-api/tests/projects/project_summaries/resources/test_project_summary_emails.py
index bb1271c200..187e708d77 100644
--- a/services/core-api/tests/projects/project_summaries/resources/test_project_summary_emails.py
+++ b/services/core-api/tests/projects/project_summaries/resources/test_project_summary_emails.py
@@ -40,21 +40,10 @@ def test_sub_to_asg(mock_send_template_email, test_client, db_session, auth_head
             "message": f'{updated_project_summary_title} for {project_summary.project.mine_name} has been assigned',
             "core_project_summary_link": f'{Config.CORE_WEB_URL}/pre-applications/{project_summary.project.project_guid}/overview'
         }
-
-    minespace_context = {
-        "mine": {
-            "mine_name": project_summary.mine_name,
-            "mine_no": project_summary.project.mine_no,
-        },
-        "message": f'{updated_project_summary_title} for {project_summary.project.mine_name} has been assigned',
-        "minespace_project_summary_link": f'{Config.MINESPACE_PROD_URL}/projects/{project_summary.project.project_guid}/overview',
-        "ema_auth_link": f'{Config.EMA_AUTH_LINK}',
-    }
     
     # ARGS: subject, recipients, body, context, cc (ignore comparison with ANY)
     emli_call = call(f'Project Description Notification for {project_summary.mine_name}', ANY, ANY, emli_context, cc=[MDS_EMAIL])
-    ms_call = call(f'Project Description Notification for {project_summary.mine_name}', ANY, ANY, minespace_context, cc=[MDS_EMAIL])
 
     assert put_resp.status_code == 200
-    calls = [emli_call, ms_call]
+    calls = [emli_call]
     mock_send_template_email.assert_has_calls(calls, True)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/services/core-api/tests/projects/project_summaries/resources/test_project_summary_resource.py b/services/core-api/tests/projects/project_summaries/resources/test_project_summary_resource.py
index 66511a3f71..c2aa2af272 100644
--- a/services/core-api/tests/projects/project_summaries/resources/test_project_summary_resource.py
+++ b/services/core-api/tests/projects/project_summaries/resources/test_project_summary_resource.py
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ def test_delete_project_summary_bad_status_code(test_client, db_session, auth_he
 def test_update_project_summary_assign_project_lead(test_client, db_session, auth_headers):
     '''Assigning a project lead will change status code to ASG'''
     project = ProjectFactory(project_summary=0)
-    project_summary = ProjectSummaryFactory(project=project)
+    project_summary = ProjectSummaryFactory(project=project, set_status_code='DFT')
     party = PartyFactory(person=True)
 
     data = {}
diff --git a/services/core-web/cypress/e2e/majorprojects.cy.ts b/services/core-web/cypress/e2e/majorprojects.cy.ts
index 35dc1cbfd7..00a4c119e2 100644
--- a/services/core-web/cypress/e2e/majorprojects.cy.ts
+++ b/services/core-web/cypress/e2e/majorprojects.cy.ts
@@ -18,6 +18,12 @@ describe("Major Projects", () => {
   it("should upload and download a document successfully", () => {
     const fileName = "dummy.pdf";
 
+    cy.get('body').then((element) => {
+      if (element.find("button[data-cy=view-project-description-details-button]").length > 0) {
+        cy.contains("View Project Description Details").click();
+      }
+    })
+
     cy.contains("Document Upload").click();
 
     cy.contains("Edit Project Description").click();
diff --git a/services/core-web/src/components/mine/Projects/ProjectSummary.tsx b/services/core-web/src/components/mine/Projects/ProjectSummary.tsx
index 0b549bca97..b9a9d67e5e 100644
--- a/services/core-web/src/components/mine/Projects/ProjectSummary.tsx
+++ b/services/core-web/src/components/mine/Projects/ProjectSummary.tsx
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ import {
   AMS_STATUS_CODES_SUCCESS,
   AMS_STATUS_CODE_FAIL,
   AMS_ENVIRONMENTAL_MANAGEMENT_ACT_TYPES,
-  SystemFlagEnum,
 } from "@mds/common";
 import { getMineById } from "@mds/common/redux/reducers/mineReducer";
 import withFeatureFlag from "@mds/common/providers/featureFlags/withFeatureFlag";
@@ -37,7 +36,6 @@ import ProjectSummaryForm, {
 } from "@mds/common/components/projectSummary/ProjectSummaryForm";
 import { fetchRegions } from "@mds/common/redux/slices/regionsSlice";
 import { clearProjectSummary } from "@mds/common/redux/actions/projectActions";
-import { getSystemFlag } from "@mds/common/redux/selectors/authenticationSelectors";
 import { cancelConfirmWrapper } from "@mds/common/components/forms/RenderCancelButton";
 import { fetchActivities } from "@mds/common/redux/actionCreators/activityActionCreator";
 import { getUserInfo } from "@mds/common/redux/selectors/authenticationSelectors";
@@ -54,10 +52,6 @@ export const ProjectSummary: FC = () => {
     mode: string;
   }>();
   const userInfo = useSelector(getUserInfo);
-
-  const systemFlag = useSelector(getSystemFlag);
-  const isCore = systemFlag === SystemFlagEnum.core;
-
   const mine = useSelector((state) => getMineById(state, mineGuid));
   const formattedProjectSummary = useSelector(getFormattedProjectSummary);
   const project = useSelector(getProject);
@@ -215,19 +209,15 @@ export const ProjectSummary: FC = () => {
 
     if (!status_code || isNewProject) {
       status_code = "DFT";
-    } else if (!newActiveTab) {
-      if (isCore) {
-        status_code = formValues.status_code;
-      } else {
-        status_code = "SUB";
-      }
+    } else if (!newActiveTab && status_code === "DFT") {
+      status_code = "SUB";
       is_historic = false;
       if (amsFeatureEnabled) {
         message = null;
       }
     }
 
-    if (isCore && !isNewProject) {
+    if (!isNewProject && newActiveTab) {
       status_code = formValues.status_code;
     }