UCL Laws pays tribute to Robert Lane CBE

UCL Laws is saddened to hear Robert Lane CBE passed away on Saturday 8th February 2020.

Robert was Head of the CMS Energy Group, and Head of Power and of Regulated Industries (power, water, gas & clean energy). He had been advising in the sector for over 30 years, and was widely recognised for his legal expertise as a leading energy specialist.

Robert read law in the Faculty of Laws from 1976 to 1979, and graduated with a LLB in 1979.

Victor Chu CBE, Chair of UCL Council and former classmate of Robert said: 

"Rob was an outstanding lawyer, cherished classmate and wonderful friend to many of us. We will always remember his charm, his kindness and his warm friendship. Rob will be greatly missed. " 

Leslie Johnston, UCL Laws alumnus who studied alongside Robert said:

“Rob was such a kind and gentle person who was a real leader in his field. He was very proud of his UCL background and he attended a Bentham Club dinner last year to celebrate 40 years since our graduation.”

In the Queen’s birthday honours list in 2001, Robert was appointed a CBE for services to British commercial and legal interests overseas.

Rodney Austin, Senior Teaching Fellow at UCL Laws, paid tribute to Robert:

“I knew Robert as a student and for a few years after he graduated.  He was a bright, open, cheerful personality whose presence would light up a room as soon as he entered.  Intellectually, he was exceptionally able, highly analytical and critical, articulate and above all curious, with a desire to explore the law deeply, to understand the rationale and underlying principles from which the law was derived. He will be sadly missed by colleagues and friends.”

UCL Laws would like to extend our condolences to Robert’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.

A tribute to Robert Lane is available to read now, published by CMS (pdf download).

Edit: 04.06.2020: a Robert Lane obituary has recently been published online by The Times, which you can read now.

Image: Robert Lane, CMS