francis bennion's website blog

Unison Threatens the Government

2011-07-04T09:55:00.000+01:00

In this YouTube video FB objects to the mob rule advocated by Unison's President, Dave Prentis, and criticises teachers who should know better than to heed his call for action against the government.

The video and transcript are available from the above link.

Teachers’ Pensions: a Flight from Reason?

2011-07-04T09:50:00.000+01:00

In this YouTube video FB talks about the Teachers' strike on 30 June 2011 and the time when he helped to found the Professional Association of teachers (PAT), now known as Voice, the union for teachers who will never strike.
Both the video and transcript can be accessed from the above link.

Striking does not put students first

2011-07-04T09:45:00.000+01:00

FB believes that teachers should never strike, an action that affects students. He talks of the founding of the Professional Association of Teachers (PAT), now known as Voice, a union for teachers who will never strike.

Abolishing the crime of sedition at just the wrong time

2011-06-13T11:18:00.000+01:00

FB regrets the dismantling of our old common law and emphasises the wisdom behind it and the protection that it afforded.

Privacy and Ryan Giggs

2011-05-26T09:28:00.000+01:00

FB explains how the right to privacy has been misconstrued by the courts.

FB's 3rd AV video: 'The Referendum Fiasco & House of Lords Reform'

2011-05-23T09:58:00.000+01:00

FB reflects on the Alternative Vote referendum fiasco and comments on the muted reform of the House of Lords.

Name of Julian Maclaren-Ross

2011-05-10T09:58:00.000+01:00

FB letter in the TLS provides an insight into how Julian MacLaren-Ross devised his name.

Judges’ opinions and the law

2011-05-10T09:53:00.000+01:00

FB corrects a former Lord Chancellor.

FB's letter in The Times: 'Drawbacks of the Alternative Vote'

2011-04-21T12:17:00.000+01:00

Francis explains why the Alternative Vote is dishonest and argue that it would only be plausible if the differences between the parties were merely cosmetic.

FB's new YouTube video: 'Expert Exposes Dangers of AV'

2011-04-21T12:12:00.000+01:00

Francis Bennion talks about the dangers of AV and what will happen after the referendum.

Pruddery and Children

2011-03-31T14:40:00.000+01:00

One of FB's unpublished letters and citation of his book The Sex Code.

Weeding out porn

2011-03-29T11:55:00.000+01:00

FB writes to The Spectator about the porn filters developed by Rabbi Moshe Weiss.

The Alternative Vote will turn second-choice politicians into winners

2011-03-28T12:58:00.000+01:00

FB speaks about the dishonesty of the 'Alternative Vote' system soon to be the subject of a national referendum. See also FB's Video Blog on the same topic at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8gH74tIx-g

Let’s ensure terrorists are found guilty!

2011-01-13T13:03:00.002Z

FB suggests an alternative to control orders.

Should non-lawyers have power to change the law?

2010-11-12T13:06:00.000Z

The primary constitutional function of members of parliament is to change the law by amending what is popularly known as the statute book. Yet most legislators are not lawyers. Many of them have but the slightest awareness of the technical aspects of law. Is it right that state constitutions should entrust to such uninformed people the heavy responsibility of deciding on legal changes?
FB discusses the issues.

The executive encroaches on legal freedom.

2010-09-03T12:59:00.000+01:00

FB writes about the Legal Services Commission and the importance of professional independence.

All you need is love

2010-07-08T11:33:00.000+01:00

Love and opposing values

Councillors should protect views

2010-07-01T13:13:00.002+01:00

The importance of seeing the sea from seafronts!

Working till you drop.

2010-06-29T12:41:00.000+01:00

A lifetime of work.

Current lawyers should recognise the legal age of discretion

2010-06-17T14:19:00.000+01:00

In this article FB discusses once again an area of criminal law which has gone seriously wrong through neglect of the age of discretion doctrine.

Longboat development in Budleigh Salterton

2010-06-16T12:26:00.001+01:00

Best view in the town to be spoilt by the inappropriate 'Longboat' development.

Separation of Powers: the Lord Chancellor

2010-06-16T12:23:00.000+01:00

FB explains why the pre Blair separation of powers 'was one of our constitutional glories'.

Writing Like a Lawyer

2010-06-15T12:49:00.000+01:00

FB highlights the dangers of allowing the plain language movement to influence the way our laws are written.

Labour proved wrong over doli incapax

2010-05-27T14:38:00.000+01:00

Consequence of Labour’s abolition of doli incapax presumption

Are school children racist?

2010-05-27T14:35:00.000+01:00

Review of The Myth of Racist Kids: Anti-racist policy and the regulation of school life by Adrian Hart.

Religious discrimination – remember the Coronation Oath!

2010-05-25T12:07:00.002+01:00

Discriminating in favour of Christianity.

Powers to Restrict Gang Members 'Could Bring the Law Into Disrepute'

2010-05-25T12:04:00.000+01:00

FB criticises the Crime and Security Act 2010, an example of what he describes as 'law churning'. He explains how this brings the law into disrespect and makes it more difficult for lawyers to carry out their role.

We ought not to be adding new penalties for men who use prostitutes – it’s been happening since the beginning of time.

2010-04-09T13:21:00.000+01:00

On 1 April the Crime and Policing Act 2009 came into force. It adds further penalties for prostitution.

Assisted suicide prosecution policy attacked as unlawful

2010-03-26T17:27:00.000Z

FB’ s article criticising the DPP

New assisted suicide guidelines are unlawful says FB.

2010-03-10T10:27:00.000Z

FB explains why three of the DPP's new guidelines are unlawful.

FB writes on two ladies of the law

2010-02-09T17:34:00.002Z

FB writes on two ladies of the law

David Cameron and the Rule of Law

2010-02-09T13:01:00.000Z

FB accuses David Cameron of breach of the Rule of Law.

Advisory body needed for criminal law reforms

2010-02-08T12:09:00.001Z

Call for an advisory body to provide philosophical focus for criminal law reforms.

FB defends membership of European Union.

2010-02-08T11:59:00.001Z

FB defends UK membership of European Union because European nations must stick together.

SupCo - the new Supreme Court

2010-01-19T15:15:00.003Z

FB writes scathingly about the new Supreme Court, which he nicknames SupCo.

DPP and assisted suicide

2010-01-13T16:45:00.001Z

Today FB put on his website a letter criticising the DPP’s treatment of assisted suicide.

Simple child nudity is not ‘indecency’

2009-12-24T12:08:00.000Z

FB today put on his website a letter saying that simple child nudity should not be treated as ‘indecency’

An aborted foreword

2009-12-16T14:35:00.000Z

FB puts on his website an aborted foreword he wrote for a new textbook on consumer credit law and adds this to the website Topics.

An Abortive Consultation on Suicide

2009-12-16T11:10:00.001Z

FB writes about the DPP's consultation on 'Assisted suicide' and an 'unfortunate accident of timing' with the new Coroners and Justice Act 2009.