The 75th Annual Bentham Association Presidential Address and Dinner was a significant event marking the commencement of UCL Laws' bicentennial celebrations. Held on 18 February 2026 at UCL Faculty of Laws' Bentham House in London, the evening featured Professor Sir John Baker KC, a distinguished UCL alumnus and Honorary Fellow, delivering the Presidential Address titled "Sovereignty of Parliament and Legal History." Sir John, a renowned legal historian, explored the Faculty's pivotal role in shaping legal education and examined the challenges posed to constitutional order by expansive executive powers in contemporary legislation, drawing parallels between historical and modern contexts.
The event commenced with a warm welcome from Professor Eloise Scotford, Dean of UCL Laws, and was chaired by Professor Philippe Sands KC. The lecture was open to the wider academic and London legal community, marking the first time since 1949 that the address was accessible beyond the immediate UCL community. Following the address, attendees enjoyed a reception and dinner, providing an excellent opportunity for alumni, faculty members, students, lawmakers, policymakers, and legal practitioners to reconnect and reflect on the Faculty's rich history and its commitment to excellence through inclusion and equal opportunity.
The evening also celebrated the launch of the bicentennial edition of "A History of UCL Faculty of Laws," authored by Faculty alumnus Dr. Julius Grower and updated by Dr. Peter Lythe of the UCL Bentham Project. This comprehensive work chronicles the Faculty's journey through archival research and interviews with key figures, offering insights into its evolution over two centuries. The book is available for purchase through UCL's online store.
This event was particularly significant for UCL Laws alumni, offering a platform to engage with the Faculty's past and present. It provided a unique opportunity to participate in the Faculty's bicentennial celebrations, reconnect with peers, and engage in meaningful discussions about the future of legal education and practice.
Categories
Speakers(3)
Professor Eloise Scotford
Dean at UCL Faculty of Laws
Professor Eloise Scotford is the Dean of UCL Faculty of Laws, overseeing academic and administrative functions within the faculty.
Professor Philippe Sands KC
Professor of the Public Understanding of Law at UCL Faculty of Laws
Professor Philippe Sands KC holds the Chair in Public Understanding of Law at UCL Faculty of Laws, focusing on the intersection of law and public policy.
Professor Sir John Baker KC
Professor of the Laws of England at University of Cambridge
A renowned legal historian and scholar, Professor Sir John Baker KC was the Downing Professor of the Laws of England at the University of Cambridge. He studied and lectured at UCL Laws in the 1960s and 1970s and has authored influential works such as 'An Introduction to English Legal History'.
Event Details
- Date
- February 18, 2026
- Location
- 🇬🇧 London, United Kingdom
- UCL Faculty of Laws, Bentham House
- Pricing
- Free
- Audience
- Alumni, Faculty members, Students, Lawmakers, Policymakers, Legal practitioners
- Attendees
- Not specified