diff --git a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/Makefile b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/Makefile
index c422b3073d0..798216ce388 100644
--- a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/Makefile
+++ b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/Makefile
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ obj-$(CONFIG_BLUETOOTH_CONTROLLER) += util/mem.o
 obj-$(CONFIG_BLUETOOTH_CONTROLLER) += util/memq.o
 obj-$(CONFIG_BLUETOOTH_CONTROLLER) += util/work.o
 obj-$(CONFIG_BLUETOOTH_CONTROLLER) += util/util.o
-obj-$(CONFIG_BLUETOOTH_CONTROLLER) += hal/irq.o
 obj-$(CONFIG_BLUETOOTH_CONTROLLER) += hal/clock.o
 obj-$(CONFIG_BLUETOOTH_CONTROLLER) += hal/rtc.o
 obj-$(CONFIG_BLUETOOTH_CONTROLLER) += hal/rand.o
diff --git a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/clock.c b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/clock.c
index b7ccd8ced69..bd41d4a85f4 100644
--- a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/clock.c
+++ b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/clock.c
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-#include "nrf.h"
+#include <soc.h>
 
 #include "clock.h"
 
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ uint32_t clock_m16src_start(uint32_t async)
 	if (!async) {
 		uint32_t intenset;
 
-		NVIC_DisableIRQ(POWER_CLOCK_IRQn);
+		irq_disable(POWER_CLOCK_IRQn);
 
 		NRF_CLOCK->EVENTS_HFCLKSTARTED = 0;
 
@@ -76,8 +76,8 @@ uint32_t clock_m16src_start(uint32_t async)
 			NRF_CLOCK->INTENCLR = CLOCK_INTENCLR_HFCLKSTARTED_Msk;
 		}
 
-		NVIC_ClearPendingIRQ(POWER_CLOCK_IRQn);
-		NVIC_EnableIRQ(POWER_CLOCK_IRQn);
+		_NvicIrqUnpend(POWER_CLOCK_IRQn);
+		irq_enable(POWER_CLOCK_IRQn);
 	} else {
 		NRF_CLOCK->EVENTS_HFCLKSTARTED = 0;
 		NRF_CLOCK->TASKS_HFCLKSTART = 1;
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ uint32_t clock_k32src_start(uint32_t src)
 
 	NRF_CLOCK->TASKS_LFCLKSTOP = 1;
 
-	NVIC_DisableIRQ(POWER_CLOCK_IRQn);
+	irq_disable(POWER_CLOCK_IRQn);
 
 	NRF_CLOCK->EVENTS_LFCLKSTARTED = 0;
 
@@ -139,8 +139,8 @@ uint32_t clock_k32src_start(uint32_t src)
 		NRF_CLOCK->INTENCLR = CLOCK_INTENCLR_LFCLKSTARTED_Msk;
 	}
 
-	NVIC_ClearPendingIRQ(POWER_CLOCK_IRQn);
-	NVIC_EnableIRQ(POWER_CLOCK_IRQn);
+	_NvicIrqUnpend(POWER_CLOCK_IRQn);
+	irq_enable(POWER_CLOCK_IRQn);
 
 	/* Calibrate RC, and start timer for consecutive calibrations */
 	NRF_CLOCK->TASKS_CTSTOP = 1;
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ uint32_t clock_k32src_start(uint32_t src)
 		 */
 		NRF_CLOCK->INTENSET = CLOCK_INTENSET_HFCLKSTARTED_Msk;
 		if (clock_m16src_start(1)) {
-			NVIC_ClearPendingIRQ(POWER_CLOCK_IRQn);
+			_NvicIrqUnpend(POWER_CLOCK_IRQn);
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ void power_clock_isr(void)
 		 */
 		NRF_CLOCK->INTENSET = CLOCK_INTENSET_HFCLKSTARTED_Msk;
 		if (clock_m16src_start(1)) {
-			NVIC_ClearPendingIRQ(POWER_CLOCK_IRQn);
+			_NvicIrqUnpend(POWER_CLOCK_IRQn);
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/ecb.c b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/ecb.c
index d400d481926..ef2d1ab04e5 100644
--- a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/ecb.c
+++ b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/ecb.c
@@ -15,12 +15,10 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-#include <toolchain.h>
 #include <string.h>
+#include <soc.h>
 
-#include "nrf.h"
 #include "mem.h"
-
 #include "ecb.h"
 
 #include "debug.h"
@@ -85,10 +83,9 @@ uint32_t ecb_encrypt_nonblocking(struct ecb *ecb)
 	NRF_ECB->EVENTS_ERRORECB = 0;
 	NRF_ECB->INTENSET = ECB_INTENSET_ERRORECB_Msk | ECB_INTENSET_ENDECB_Msk;
 
-	/* setup interrupt */
-	NVIC_SetPriority(ECB_IRQn, 2);
-	NVIC_ClearPendingIRQ(ECB_IRQn);
-	NVIC_EnableIRQ(ECB_IRQn);
+	/* enable interrupt */
+	_NvicIrqUnpend(ECB_IRQn);
+	irq_enable(ECB_IRQn);
 
 	/* start the encryption h/w */
 	NRF_ECB->TASKS_STARTECB = 1;
@@ -102,7 +99,7 @@ static void ecb_cleanup(void)
 	NRF_ECB->TASKS_STOPECB = 1;
 
 	/* cleanup interrupt */
-	NVIC_DisableIRQ(ECB_IRQn);
+	irq_disable(ECB_IRQn);
 }
 
 void ecb_isr(void)
diff --git a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/hal_irq.h b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/hal_irq.h
deleted file mode 100644
index 8b3367a1545..00000000000
--- a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/hal_irq.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,27 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Copyright (c) 2016 Nordic Semiconductor ASA
- * Copyright (c) 2016 Vinayak Kariappa Chettimada
- *
- * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
- * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
- * You may obtain a copy of the License at
- *
- *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
- *
- * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
- * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
- * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
- * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
- * limitations under the License.
- */
-
-#ifndef _IRQ_H_
-#define _IRQ_H_
-
-void irq_enable(uint8_t irq);
-void irq_disable(uint8_t irq);
-void irq_pending_set(uint8_t irq);
-uint8_t irq_enabled(uint8_t irq);
-uint8_t irq_priority_equal(uint8_t irq);
-
-#endif /* _IRQ_H_ */
diff --git a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/irq.c b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/irq.c
deleted file mode 100644
index 15838a22b1f..00000000000
--- a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/irq.c
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,53 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Copyright (c) 2016 Nordic Semiconductor ASA
- * Copyright (c) 2016 Vinayak Kariappa Chettimada
- *
- * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
- * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
- * You may obtain a copy of the License at
- *
- *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
- *
- * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
- * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
- * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
- * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
- * limitations under the License.
- */
-
-#include "nrf.h"
-#include "hal_irq.h"
-
-void irq_enable(uint8_t irq)
-{
-	NVIC_EnableIRQ((IRQn_Type) irq);
-}
-
-void irq_disable(uint8_t irq)
-{
-	NVIC_DisableIRQ((IRQn_Type) irq);
-}
-
-void irq_pending_set(uint8_t irq)
-{
-	NVIC_SetPendingIRQ((IRQn_Type) irq);
-}
-
-uint8_t irq_enabled(uint8_t irq)
-{
-	return ((NVIC->ISER[0] & (1 << ((uint32_t) (irq) & 0x1F))) != 0);
-}
-
-uint8_t irq_priority_equal(uint8_t irq)
-{
-	uint32_t irq_current = SCB->ICSR & SCB_ICSR_VECTACTIVE_Msk;
-	uint32_t irq_priority_current = 4;
-
-	if (irq_current > 16) {
-		irq_priority_current =
-		    NVIC_GetPriority((IRQn_Type) (irq_current - 16)) & 0xFF;
-	}
-
-	return ((NVIC_GetPriority((IRQn_Type) irq) & 0xFF) ==
-		irq_priority_current);
-}
diff --git a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/radio.c b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/radio.c
index 3f21a40d9fb..03fa1982a3b 100644
--- a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/radio.c
+++ b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/radio.c
@@ -14,10 +14,9 @@
  * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
  * limitations under the License.
  */
+#include <soc.h>
 #include <misc/util.h>
 
-#include "nrf.h"
-
 #include "hal_work.h"
 
 #include "defines.h"
@@ -56,14 +55,13 @@ void radio_isr_set(radio_isr_fp fp_radio_isr)
 				 */
 	    );
 
-	NVIC_SetPriority(RADIO_IRQn, WORK_TICKER_WORKER0_IRQ_PRIORITY);
-	NVIC_ClearPendingIRQ(RADIO_IRQn);
-	NVIC_EnableIRQ(RADIO_IRQn);
+	_NvicIrqUnpend(RADIO_IRQn);
+	irq_enable(RADIO_IRQn);
 }
 
 void radio_reset(void)
 {
-	NVIC_DisableIRQ(RADIO_IRQn);
+	irq_disable(RADIO_IRQn);
 
 	NRF_RADIO->POWER =
 	    ((RADIO_POWER_POWER_Disabled << RADIO_POWER_POWER_Pos) &
@@ -481,7 +479,7 @@ void *radio_ccm_tx_pkt_set(struct ccm *ccm, void *pkt)
 		__WFE();
 	}
 	NRF_CCM->INTENCLR = CCM_INTENCLR_ENDCRYPT_Msk;
-	NVIC_ClearPendingIRQ(CCM_AAR_IRQn);
+	_NvicIrqUnpend(CCM_AAR_IRQn);
 
 	BT_ASSERT(NRF_CCM->EVENTS_ERROR == 0);
 #else
@@ -501,7 +499,7 @@ uint32_t radio_ccm_is_done(void)
 		__WFE();
 	}
 	NRF_CCM->INTENCLR = CCM_INTENCLR_ENDCRYPT_Msk;
-	NVIC_ClearPendingIRQ(CCM_AAR_IRQn);
+	_NvicIrqUnpend(CCM_AAR_IRQn);
 
 	return (NRF_CCM->EVENTS_ERROR == 0);
 }
diff --git a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/rand.c b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/rand.c
index 3194d255120..07096a94388 100644
--- a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/rand.c
+++ b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hal/rand.c
@@ -15,9 +15,10 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-#include "nrf.h"
+#include <soc.h>
 
 #include "rand.h"
+
 #include "debug.h"
 
 #define RAND_RESERVED (4)
@@ -42,10 +43,6 @@ void rand_init(uint8_t *context, uint8_t context_len)
 	NRF_RNG->CONFIG = RNG_CONFIG_DERCEN_Msk;
 	NRF_RNG->EVENTS_VALRDY = 0;
 	NRF_RNG->INTENSET = RNG_INTENSET_VALRDY_Msk;
-
-	NVIC_SetPriority(RNG_IRQn, 2);
-	NVIC_EnableIRQ(RNG_IRQn);
-
 	NRF_RNG->TASKS_START = 1;
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hci/hci_driver.c b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hci/hci_driver.c
index 652dbe88e45..46338910bc8 100644
--- a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hci/hci_driver.c
+++ b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/hci/hci_driver.c
@@ -262,6 +262,8 @@ static int hci_driver_open(void)
 {
 	uint32_t err;
 
+	DEBUG_INIT();
+
 	clock_k32src_start(1);
 
 	_ticker_users[RADIO_TICKER_USER_ID_WORKER][0] =
@@ -292,12 +294,12 @@ static int hci_driver_open(void)
 		return -ENOMEM;
 	}
 
-	IRQ_CONNECT(NRF52_IRQ_POWER_CLOCK_IRQn, 2, power_clock_nrf5_isr, 0, 0);
+	IRQ_CONNECT(NRF52_IRQ_POWER_CLOCK_IRQn, 1, power_clock_nrf5_isr, 0, 0);
 	IRQ_CONNECT(NRF52_IRQ_RADIO_IRQn, 0, radio_nrf5_isr, 0, 0);
 	IRQ_CONNECT(NRF52_IRQ_RTC0_IRQn, 0, rtc0_nrf5_isr, 0, 0);
-	IRQ_CONNECT(NRF52_IRQ_RNG_IRQn, 2, rng_nrf5_isr, 0, 0);
+	IRQ_CONNECT(NRF52_IRQ_RNG_IRQn, 1, rng_nrf5_isr, 0, 0);
 	IRQ_CONNECT(NRF52_IRQ_SWI4_EGU4_IRQn, 0, swi4_nrf5_isr, 0, 0);
-	IRQ_CONNECT(NRF52_IRQ_SWI5_EGU5_IRQn, 2, swi5_nrf5_isr, 0, 0);
+	IRQ_CONNECT(NRF52_IRQ_SWI5_EGU5_IRQn, 1, swi5_nrf5_isr, 0, 0);
 	irq_enable(NRF52_IRQ_POWER_CLOCK_IRQn);
 	irq_enable(NRF52_IRQ_RADIO_IRQn);
 	irq_enable(NRF52_IRQ_RTC0_IRQn);
diff --git a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/ll/ctrl.c b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/ll/ctrl.c
index a9a6a4f488a..6213dcf0e76 100644
--- a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/ll/ctrl.c
+++ b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/ll/ctrl.c
@@ -4437,7 +4437,7 @@ static inline uint32_t event_conn_update_prep(struct connection *conn,
 		/* disable ticker job, in order to chain stop and start
 		 * to avoid RTC being stopped if no tickers active.
 		 */
-		work_was_enabled = work_enabled(WORK_TICKER_JOB0_IRQ);
+		work_was_enabled = work_is_enabled(WORK_TICKER_JOB0_IRQ);
 		work_disable(WORK_TICKER_JOB0_IRQ);
 
 		/* start slave/master with new timings */
diff --git a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/util/work.c b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/util/work.c
index 09db37d9103..c9bfff93670 100644
--- a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/util/work.c
+++ b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/util/work.c
@@ -16,28 +16,35 @@
  */
 
 #include <stdint.h>
-#include "hal_irq.h"
+#include <irq.h>
 
 #include "work.h"
 
 static struct work *_work_head;
 
-#ifdef __GNUC__
-static inline uint32_t __disable_irq(void)
+static int _irq_is_priority_equal(unsigned int irq)
 {
-	uint32_t result;
+	unsigned int curr_ctx;
+	int curr_prio;
 
-	__asm__ volatile ("MRS %0, PRIMASK\n\t CPSID i":"=r" (result));
+	curr_ctx = _ScbActiveVectorGet();
+	if (curr_ctx > 16) {
+		/* Interrupts */
+		curr_prio = _NvicIrqPrioGet(curr_ctx - 16);
+	} else if (curr_ctx > 3) {
+		/* Execeptions */
+		curr_prio = _ScbExcPrioGet(curr_ctx);
+	} else if (curr_ctx > 0) {
+		/* Fixed Priority Exceptions: -3, -2, -1 priority */
+		curr_prio = curr_ctx - 4;
+	} else {
+		/* Thread mode */
+		curr_prio = 256;
+	}
 
-	return (result & 0x01);
+	return (_NvicIrqPrioGet(irq) == curr_prio);
 }
 
-static inline void __enable_irq(void)
-{
-	__asm__ volatile ("CPSIE i");
-}
-#endif
-
 void work_enable(uint8_t group)
 {
 	irq_enable(group);
@@ -48,14 +55,14 @@ void work_disable(uint8_t group)
 	irq_disable(group);
 }
 
-uint8_t work_enabled(uint8_t group)
+uint32_t work_is_enabled(uint8_t group)
 {
-	return irq_enabled(group);
+	return irq_is_enabled(group);
 }
 
 uint32_t work_schedule(struct work *w, uint8_t chain)
 {
-	int was_masked = __disable_irq();
+	uint32_t imask = irq_lock();
 	struct work *prev;
 	struct work *curr;
 
@@ -81,8 +88,8 @@ uint32_t work_schedule(struct work *w, uint8_t chain)
 	}
 
 	/* chain, if explicitly requested, or if work not at current level */
-	chain = chain || (!irq_priority_equal(w->group))
-	    || (!irq_enabled(w->group));
+	chain = chain || (!_irq_is_priority_equal(w->group))
+	    || (!irq_is_enabled(w->group));
 
 	/* Already in List */
 	curr = _work_head;
@@ -92,9 +99,7 @@ uint32_t work_schedule(struct work *w, uint8_t chain)
 				break;
 			}
 
-			if (!was_masked) {
-				__enable_irq();
-			}
+			irq_unlock(imask);
 
 			return 1;
 		}
@@ -106,9 +111,7 @@ uint32_t work_schedule(struct work *w, uint8_t chain)
 	if (!chain) {
 		w->req = w->ack;
 
-		if (!was_masked) {
-			__enable_irq();
-		}
+		irq_unlock(imask);
 
 		if (w->fp) {
 			w->fp(w->params);
@@ -126,18 +129,16 @@ uint32_t work_schedule(struct work *w, uint8_t chain)
 		prev->next = w;
 	}
 
-	irq_pending_set(w->group);
+	_NvicIrqPend(w->group);
 
-	if (!was_masked) {
-		__enable_irq();
-	}
+	irq_unlock(imask);
 
 	return 0;
 }
 
 void work_run(uint8_t group)
 {
-	int was_masked = __disable_irq();
+	uint32_t imask = irq_lock();
 	struct work *curr = _work_head;
 
 	while (curr) {
@@ -146,12 +147,10 @@ void work_run(uint8_t group)
 
 			if (curr->fp) {
 				if (curr->next) {
-					irq_pending_set(group);
+					_NvicIrqPend(group);
 				}
 
-				if (!was_masked) {
-					__enable_irq();
-				}
+				irq_unlock(imask);
 
 				curr->fp(curr->params);
 
@@ -162,7 +161,5 @@ void work_run(uint8_t group)
 		curr = curr->next;
 	}
 
-	if (!was_masked) {
-		__enable_irq();
-	}
+	irq_unlock(imask);
 }
diff --git a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/util/work.h b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/util/work.h
index d13ca8e0ebb..9baf8619efc 100644
--- a/drivers/bluetooth/controller/util/work.h
+++ b/drivers/bluetooth/controller/util/work.h
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ struct work {
 
 void work_enable(uint8_t group);
 void work_disable(uint8_t group);
-uint8_t work_enabled(uint8_t group);
+uint32_t work_is_enabled(uint8_t group);
 uint32_t work_schedule(struct work *w, uint8_t chain);
 void work_run(uint8_t group);