The Fundamentals of International Nuclear Law (FINL) is a new online course developed by the NEA to provide a high-level, introductory review of the central aspects of international nuclear law in a condensed 3-day, 3 hours per day, programme.

Like the NEA’s other educational programmes (International School of Nuclear Law (ISNL) and International Nuclear Law Essentials (INLE)), the FINL was conducted under the leadership of Paul Bowden, Honorary Professor of Law, The Nottingham Law School.

The following subjects were covered during the FINL programme:

• nuclear safety, regulation and licensing;
• management of spent fuel and radioactive waste;
• environmental law and nuclear activities;
• transport of nuclear materials and fuel;
• nuclear security;
• non-proliferation and international safeguards for nuclear materials;
• liability, compensation and insurance for nuclear damage; and
• international trade in nuclear materials and equipment.

Selected participants were expected to attend the entire programme and received a certificate of participation at the conclusion of the FINL. 

Lectures were delivered by renowned specialists in nuclear law from international organisations, governments and private industry.

Day 1

• Ximena Vásquez-Maignan, Head, Office of Legal Counsel, NEA
• Paul Bowden, ISNL Programme Leader, Partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus and Deringer LLP, and Honorary Professor of Law, Nottingham Law School
• Kimberly S. Nick, Deputy Head, Office of Legal Counsel, NEA
• Lisa Thiele, Senior General Counsel, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)
• Stephen G. Burns, Former Chairman, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
• Wolfram Tonhauser, Section Head, Nuclear and Treaty Law Section, Office of Legal Affairs, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
• Christian Raetzke, Lawyer, CONLAR

Day 2

• Paul Bowden, ISNL Programme Leader, Partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus and Deringer LLP, and Honorary Professor of Law, Nottingham Law School
• Kimberly S. Nick, Deputy Head, Office of Legal Counsel, NEA
• Stephen Evans, Retired Project Officer, Regulatory Infrastructure and Transport Section, IAEA, and Former Consultant, Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Khalil Bukhari, General Counsel, International Nuclear Services Ltd (INS)
• Sonia Drobysz, Programme Director for National Implementation, VERTIC (the Verification Research, Training and Information Centre)
• Cristian de Francia, Legal Officer, Non-Proliferation and Policy Making Section, Office of Legal Affairs, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

• Laura Rockwood, Director, Open Nuclear Network

Day 3

• Ximena Vásquez-Maignan, Head, Office of Legal Counsel, NEA
• Mark Tetley, Insurance Consultant and former Managing Director, Power Nuclear & Construction Division, Price Forbes & Partners Ltd.
• William Fork, Partner, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
• Ákos Frank, Group Senior Legal Counsel, NKT
• William D. Magwood, IV, Director-General, NEA

Application & requirements

Applicants must fill out the application form for consideration. Both professionals and graduate students were considered for admission.

• Professional applicants should have at least one year of relevant professional experience and a basic knowledge of law as it relates to nuclear energy.
• Graduate students should be enrolled in an energy or international law-related LLM programme.

Participation

The FINL was limited to 40 applicants. Priority was given to applicants who have not yet attended either of the NEA’s other two educational programmes.

Language

All course instruction and discussion took place in English. Course materials were provided in English. Simultaneous interpretation was not available during the course.

Venue

The FINL took place entirely online on the teleconferencing platform Zoom. Participants were expected to join each session with their video on to facilitate interaction among participants and lecturers.

Registration fee

The registration fees for the 2021 FINL were:

• EUR 120 for professionals; and
• EUR 40 for students.

The registration fee included: admission for the participant to the general lecture and discussion sessions and print and electronic reference material.

Please contact the Division of Nuclear Law of the NEA by e-mail if you have any questions.