Whatever area you work in – development, finance or research – this essential text helps you understand all aspects of the law of nuclear energy.

Part 1 offers a comprehensive overview of nuclear law and nuclear power projects, providing a foundation upon which countries can establish or develop legislative frameworks and regulate nuclear power projects. Part 2 covers the development of nuclear power projects, providing, amongst other things, guidance on producing a tender document evaluating tenders, a review of the key provisions of a nuclear construction contract and an introduction to nuclear finance, and chapters covering the front and back end of the nuclear fuel cycle. Part 3 discusses small modular nuclear reactors (“SMRs”) and future issues in international nuclear energy law.

The 4th edition has been updated throughout with highlights including:

Chapter 1: Nuclear Energy for Policy Makers

Updated global statistics on nuclear power, including the number of newcomer states and recent developments in nuclear energy policy.
Expanded discussion of energy security in light of recent geopolitical events (e.g., Russia-Ukraine war), and the resurgence of nuclear as a strategic energy source.
Added recent data on nuclear plant capacity factors, uranium supply initiatives, and progress on deep geological repositories (e.g., Finland, Sweden, Canada).
Included developments in international finance, such as the EU's inclusion of nuclear in its sustainable taxonomy and the lifting of nuclear finance bans by major institutions.
Updated challenges, especially regarding public acceptance, market risks, and the evolving role of SMRs and advanced reactors.

Chapter 2: Introduction to Nuclear Energy Law

Clarified the distinction between established and emerging nuclear power states, with updated examples (e.g., Bangladesh, Egypt, Thailand, Vietnam).
Emphasised the evolving nature of nuclear law, referencing recent international legal instruments and the need for national law updates.
Added a summary of the IAEA's milestones approach for research reactors.
Highlighted the increasing importance of harmonising national law with international obligations and best practices.

Chapter 3: Developing a Nuclear Power Programme

Incorporated the 2024 revision of the IAEA Milestones Approach, with a new focus on SMRs and their unique infrastructure considerations.
Updated the description of the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) process, including recent practice and transparency (publication of reports).
Emphasised the importance of a strong national policy, stakeholder engagement, and the creation of a Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organisation (NEPIO).
Added recent examples and best practices for roadmap development and infrastructure self-assessment.

Chapter 4: International Nuclear Law

Updated treaty status numbers (e.g., NPT, CTBT, CPPNM, Joint Convention) and recent treaty accessions/ratifications.
Included discussion of the 2021 entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
Expanded coverage of the latest amendments to the Paris and Brussels Conventions (entered into force 2022).
Updated on IAEA membership and the role of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, including recent changes to export control guidelines.
Added recent EU nuclear safety directives and regional harmonisation initiatives.

Chapter 5: National Nuclear Law

Refined guidance on drafting national nuclear law, with new emphasis on harmonisation, international best practice, and use of IAEA model legislation.
Updated examples from the UAE and Egypt, reflecting recent legislative approaches.
Added discussion on the benefits of a single comprehensive nuclear law versus multiple separate laws.
Expanded on the importance of precise definitions, regulatory independence, and the integration of international obligations.
Included updated tables and model provisions reflecting recent IAEA guidance.

Chapter 6: Nuclear Regulation

Updated international best practice examples (Bangladesh, Belarus, Turkey, UAE) and the trend towards single, comprehensive nuclear regulatory bodies.
Added details on recent UK and US regulatory reforms, including the establishment of the UK Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce and updates to ONR/EA cooperation.
Provided new regulatory developments for advanced reactors and SMRs, including the IAEA's NHSI initiative and international harmonisation efforts.
Updated examples of decommissioning funding regimes and regulatory approaches in Canada, the UK, and the US.

Chapter 7: Nuclear Liability

Incorporated the 2022 entry into force of the 2004 Protocols to the Paris and Brussels Conventions, raising liability limits and expanding definitions.
Updated the status of the CSC and recent contracting parties.
Added discussion of the UK's legislative process to accede to the CSC and the latest developments in US Price-Anderson Act coverage.
Provided new model legislative provisions and clarified options for national implementation of international nuclear liability conventions.

Chapter 8: Introduction to Nuclear Power New Build

Updated to reflect the increasing diversity of nuclear new build participants, including more detailed distinctions between emerging and established nuclear states.
Expanded discussion of IAEA infrastructure assessment tools, especially the latest Milestones Approach and INIR Missions.
New content on project structures, including the "mankala" model (Finland) and the importance of the "intelligent customer" principle.
More detailed breakdown of project participants, their roles, and the legal/regulatory requirements for readiness to launch new build projects.

Chapter 9: Procurement

Expanded to reflect the latest IAEA procurement guidance, including timelines, phasing, and human resource requirements.
New emphasis on alternative procurement routes (e.g., strategic partnerships, intergovernmental agreements) in addition to competitive tenders.
More detailed treatment of legal restrictions, export controls, and EU state aid rules.
Enhanced guidance on bid preparation, evaluation, and the importance of confidentiality and localisation.

Chapter 10: Construction

Clarified distinctions between EPC, split-package, and alliancing contract models, including new tables summarising advantages/disadvantages.
New content on risk allocation, "back-to-back" contractual approaches, and the impact of regulatory compliance on contract drafting.
Expanded discussion of key contract terms (e.g., reference plant, performance standards, nuclear liability, insurance, dispute resolution).
Updated practical guidance on project management, claims, and dispute avoidance during construction.

Chapter 11: Financing Nuclear Power Projects

Updated to reflect recent changes in the global finance landscape, including the World Bank and Asian Development Bank lifting bans on nuclear finance.
Expanded content on the role of green and sustainable finance, and the inclusion of nuclear in the EU Taxonomy.
New detail on export credit agency arrangements, OECD guidelines, and government support mechanisms (e.g., contracts-for-difference, tax credits).
Enhanced risk assessment and allocation matrix, with new focus on political, regulatory, and public acceptance risks.

Chapter 12: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle—Front End

Updated market data on uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, and fabrication, with new suppliers and facilities noted.
Expanded treatment of international fuel market security, non-proliferation, and multinational fuel cycle initiatives (e.g., IUEC, IAEA LEU Bank, URENCO).
New content on contracting for fuel supply, including legal clauses for non-proliferation, export controls, liability, and warranties.
Coverage of the "gold standard" pledge in US-UAE 123 Agreement.

Chapter 13: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle—Back End

Updated with current data on spent fuel inventories and storage practices.
Expanded discussion of waste classification, management, and disposal options, including advances in geological repositories (Finland, Sweden, Canada, France).
More detail on legal and regulatory frameworks, including the Joint Convention and IAEA requirements.
New guidance on contracting for back-end services, including risk allocation, export controls, and liability.

Chapter 14: Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs)

Major update reflecting rapid global SMR developments, with new operational and under-construction units (e.g., China, Russia, Canada, US, Argentina).
Detailed analysis of customer assessment criteria, SMR benefits, and challenges.
Expanded discussion of legal and regulatory frameworks, including international treaties, licensing, export controls, and regulatory harmonisation efforts (e.g., 2024 UK/US/Canada MoC).
New content on contracting, financing, and the role of standardisation in SMR deployment.

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Law of Nuclear Energy, 4th Edition

Law of Nuclear Energy, 4th Edition