Held from 3 to 7 March 2025 in Paris, France, the 12th session of the NEA’s International Nuclear Law Essentials (INLE) programme brought together 15 prominent nuclear law experts from international organisations, government, academia and private industry to present a series of lectures, cases studies and panel discussions addressing the global nuclear law framework and major issues affecting the peaceful use of nuclear technology.
This year’s programme drew record interest, with 79 participants in attendance representing 26 countries. These participants came from a diverse array of backgrounds and career levels to engage in a programme that touched on all areas of nuclear law, including nuclear safety, security and safeguards, environmental protection, nuclear transport, nuclear liability, international trade, and the management of spent fuel and radioactive waste.
In addition to the rigorous academic programme, the INLE course provided opportunities for participants to network with their classmates through social events, including a cruise on the Seine and a closing dinner overlooking the Eiffel Tower.
NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV addresses INLE participants.
NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV provided the keynote address, which highlighted the current state of nuclear energy development around the world and the potential role of nuclear energy in addressing climate change, energy security, and economic growth and development. He emphasised the changing nuclear energy landscape and the need for all stakeholders to adapt to it:
“The INLE provided you an excellent background on how things are today and how they reached their current state — but the message we have for you is that you must take that wisdom and apply it to the new challenges of tomorrow,” said Director-General Magwood. “Lawyers, regulators and others will need to anticipate the new future. They will have to recognise that the Generation II lens, which was crafted and polished by the nuclear sector experience of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, cannot be applied to Generation IV technologies. If we are going to make progress, we all have to come to grips with that.”
Director-General Magwood also addressed the need to ensure adequate human capacity in the push for nuclear energy development. “There are simply not enough people in this business today to meet the needs we see ahead. We are configured for status quo, but if the nuclear sector grows substantially, the world will need a lot more scientists, engineers and, yes, lawyers supporting our future ambitions.”
Since its inception, the INLE programme has been led by Paul Bowden, Honorary Professor of Law at the Nottingham Law School and former partner of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
More information about the 2026 edition of INLE will be provided later in the year.
For more information on the NEA’s work in nuclear law, visit here.
INLE 2025 participants at the OECD Conference Centre.
