There are many types of legal challenges that can be raised in the context of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Each country’s framework for legal challenges related to the peaceful use of nuclear energy depends on its national legal system. Because each country’s national legal structure is distinct, it is important for lawyers, as well as law- and policy-makers, to have a comparative understanding of the different frameworks for legal challenges.
Focusing only on legal challenges related to nuclear safety, the aim of this report is to provide insights into the frameworks for legal challenges related to nuclear safety and, without making any general recommendations, identify commonalities and differences that contribute to different countries’ approaches. By collecting information from nearly 25 NEA member and non-member countries, this report provides an overall review of the different approaches taken by countries to legal challenges related to nuclear safety, as well as nearly 40 case summaries by 11 different countries and an extensive chart of nuclear law cases from 1987 to the present day.