The small world of nuclear lawyers was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing on 13 April 2020 at his home in Northern Ontario of Jacques Lavoie. For five years from 2013 to 2018 he had been General Counsel at the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation ‘ENEC’ in the UAE, having earlier held senior positions with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Canadian Mounted Police and Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

At this time, ‘ENEC’ was not only engaged in construction of one of the most ambitious new nuclear power plants in the world at Barakah, but also helping to establish the UAE laws and regulations in this field as an example of regulatory best practice, and a starting point for other new nuclear regulatory frameworks. The UAE programme combined promotion of civil nuclear power with explicit endorsement of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The successful application of this regulatory framework must have owed much to the skills and energy of Jacques Lavoie, and others like him. He went on to become the president of the International Nuclear Law Association, and brought the congress of that body to Abu Dhabi in 2018. All those who attended that conference will remember his meticulous organisation and exemplary skill in the many details of its organisation, and his uncommon courtesy in making each delegate feel individually welcome. We send sincere sympathies to his wife, son and wider family.

An obituary of Jacques Lavoie from the Ottawa Citizen is at –

https://ottawacitizen.remembering.ca/obituary.jacques-lavoie-1079046927

William Wilson