CEPMLP leads the way on energy law

"Probably the best known institution is Dundee University's Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy whose international staff reflects its global reputation." (Times Higher Education article, March 2008)

As rising fuel costs, territorial disputes over resources and greater awareness of environmental issues push energy higher up the political and public agenda, the profile of the University's Centre for Petroleum, Energy and Mineral Law and Policy as a provider of world class expertise in this area continues to grow.

In a recent article in the Times Higher Education the UK was described as a world leader academically in energy law and CEPMLP singled out as the most prominent institution in this field in the UK.

The article, which highlighted the growing importance of sovereignty issues in terms of the world's energy resources, described CEPMLP as having "premier status" in energy law.

It is a reputation 30 years in the making, built on a solid foundation o f relevant and innovative research in key areas of law, economics and policy and an impressive blend of academic expertise, practical industrial experience and an ability to predict and pre-empt the trends and innovations of the energy and natural resources sector.

Faculty staff include some of the most influential and knowledgeable figures in the field including Professor Phillip Crowson, a former Chief Economist with multi-national mining company Rio Tinto plc, Charles McPherson, former senior adviser with the World Bank and now with the International Monetary Fund, former UN Inter-regional Adviser on Petroleum and Mineral Legislation, Professor Thomas Wälde who was Director of CEPMLP from 1991-2001 and Professor Peter Cameron, a leading international energy lawyer, especially known for his work on European energy law, who is Director of Research at CEPMLP.

Centre Director Professor Philip Andrews-Speed, a former geologist in the international mining and petroleum industries, is himself an internationally acclaimed expert on energy policy in China.

He believes the Centre's success lies in its interdisciplinary approach offering courses ranging from energy and the environment, nuclear law and policy and water studies to international dispute management and taxation and finance.

It is also one of the few institutions to offer LLM courses to students who do not hold a first degree in law. As a result students at the centre come from a wide range of backgrounds and include scientists, geologists, engineers, economists and managers as well as lawyers.

"The Centre is unique in terms of the range of courses and disciplines we offer," said Professor Andrews-Speed. "There are a number of other institutions offering some of the courses we do but there is nowhere that offers this combination of courses and disciplines. I think it is that combination that appeals to a range of students and the fact that we have a staff with a very useful mix of academic expertise and industrial experience."

CEPMLP's industrial links and an ability to attract top class lecturers and academics have been instrumental in helping it innovate to meet the demand of a shifting energy and mining sector.

"A few years ago we had a visiting professor who was chief economist with BP and we asked him what keeps you awake at night," explained Professor Andrews-Speed. "We expected him to say world markets but he said it was human rights and as a result we created a module in human rights".

"Seven or eight years ago we introduced the LLM in nuclear law and policy but then nuclear energy went out of fashion. Then after a number of enquiries from Japan and Iran we brought it back on the books. One of our core lecturers is Patrick Reyners, formerly Head of Legal Affairs at the OECD's Nuclear Energy Agency and Registrar of the European Nuclear Energy Tribunal."

Other recent developments include an LLM in International Dispute Resolution and Management recognising the growing need for professionals proficient in both energy law and public international law.

Again leading figures in the field have been recruited to share their expertise including Professor Jan Paulsson, head of worldwide arbitration and public international law with international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. Professor Paulsson is President of the London Court of International Arbitration and of the World Bank Administrative Tribunal.

The Centre has also appointed an honorary professor in climate change law to meet the increasing interest in environmental issues. Professor Kurt Deketelaere, Chief of Staff in the Flemish Government's Ministry for Public Works, Energy, Environment and Nature has been in post on a part-time basis since last year.

One of the most exciting additions to CEPMLP's range of courses is a new Executive Masters in Oil and Gas leadership. The programme, the first of its kind for senior practising managers in the oil and gas industry, is aimed at preparing participants for senior leadership and advisory roles in the private and public sector.

It is likely to be welcomed throughout the industry as it helps address a skills deficit currently facing the energy sector at senior management levels.

The programme will include intensive learning events delivered in international locations. The first of these will take place in June in Dubai. A second event will be held in Edinburgh in the autumn.

The willingness to take the programme to an international audience highlights the global nature of the CEPMLP both in terms of its outlook and its appeal. With around 200 students from more than 50 countries in its LLM, MSc, MBA and PhD programmes and more than 30 faculty members drawn from around the world it provides the ideal environment for sharing ideas and building valuable networks of international contacts.

It is, Professor Andrews-Speed believes, well-placed to continue and build on its "premier status" reputation.

"I see the Centre, through its staff and alumni, as a key provider of expertise and understanding vital to inform the difficult policy decisions facing governments in the years ahead."

New book marks CEPMLP's 30th anniversary

A conference to mark the 30th anniversary of the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy has resulted in a new book examining the evolving state of the energy and minerals industry from the perspective of international competition for resources.

International Competition for Resources: The Role of Law, the State and of Markets, edited by CEPMLP Director Philip Andrews-Speed, is a collection of six papers presented at the 30th anniversary conference last year.

Described as a "truly incisive perspective" the book, published by Dundee University Press features key figures in the CEPMLP including Professors Philip Crowson, Paul Stevens, Peter Cameron and Thomas Walde and Dr Ana Elizabeth Bastida.

Professor Andrews-Speed's introduction reflects upon the economic and resource trends in the energy and resource industries over the last 30 years, drawing on the similarities in world affairs between then and now while highlighting the differences in the economic, political and legal climate in the competition for resources.

Other chapters focus on resource nationalism and the Middle East, trends in the global mining industry, the UK's changing energy strategy in the EU, the changing role of law in the international resources industries and the impact from shifts in political and economic ideology.