A tribute to Professor Dr. Michael Dale

It is with deep sorrow that Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa announces the passing of Professor Dr. Michael Dale. 

Prof. Dale was the preeminent authority in the law relating to the prospecting, mining, exploration, and production of minerals and petroleum. As the head of Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa’s mineral and petroleum law department, he provided unparalleled expertise and guidance to major local and international mining houses, as well as mining industry representative bodies.

In academia, Prof. Dale was highly respected and held numerous honorary positions. He served as an Honorary Professor and previously a Visiting Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he introduced “The Law of Prospecting and Mining” LLB course in 1983. He also lectured extensively in the LLB and LLM programs, as well as in the Post-Graduate Certificate Course and short courses on Mining Law at the Mandela Institute. His contributions to the University of Dundee in Scotland as an Honorary Senior Lecturer and previously an Honorary Associate at the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy were equally significant.

Prof. Dale was a prolific author and co-ordinating author of a seminal book on South African Mineral and Petroleum Law published by LexisNexis. His scholarly work included co-authoring books on mining legislation and notarial practice, contributing articles to national and international journals, and presenting papers at global conferences on mining law. He was also a long-standing contributor to the Annual Survey of South African Law, writing the Mining Law Chapter published by Jutas.

Prof. Dale was admitted as an Attorney, Notary Public, and Conveyancer in South Africa and Lesotho, and held the right of appearance in the High Court of South Africa. His recent recognition as a Hall of Famer by Legal500 underscores his enduring impact and legacy in the legal profession.  Prof. Dale was a colleague, friend and mentor to many over his five-decade career. 

His passing is a profound loss to the legal community, academia, and the industries he so diligently served. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, and all who were privileged to know and work with him.