Bentham House

Home to the UCL Laws community 

Bentham House is home to nearly 200 members of staff and more than 1,200 students. It provides an inspiring environment to develop world-leading research, teaching and social enterprise. It has established a range of specialist research and pro bono initiatives including the Bentham Project, the UCL Judicial Institute, the UCL Centre for Access to Justice and the UK's only Notarial Practice Course, and hosts hundreds of distinctive public and specialist legal events throughout the year.

Located in the heart of London

Nestled in the heart of London, our location gives our students and staff a unique opportunity to draw on the resources of the centre of the UK’s government, legal and financial communities. 

Our students have the opportunity to learn from leading lawyers and judges, the chance to visit nearby courtrooms and meet their future employers at professional networking events held by the Faculty.

Facilities

We are proud to have facilities that provide an excellent experience for students, staff and visitors. They include:

• Three state-of-the-art lecture theatres, including the new Gideon Schreier Lecture Theatre
• Cutting-edge teaching and event spaces
• The Moot Court – a mock courtroom where students can take part in mooting competitions
• Student and staff common rooms, including the Cissy Chu Common Room
• A specialist study suite for graduate students
• A large reception area, linking directly to a bright and spacious social hub and cafe
• Offices, meeting spaces and a computer cluster room

History

Designed by H and H Martin Lidbetter and built in 1953-7, the impressive Grade II listed building became home to UCL Laws in 1965 and named Bentham House after UCL founder and philosopher Jeremy Bentham. Since then, UCL Laws has welcomed thousands of students, staff and visitors through its doors. 

Transforming Bentham House

Between 2015 and 2017 a three-year major redevelopment project took place to protect and improve Bentham House, enhancing the range of facilities for teaching, learning, research and our vibrant programme of public events, conferences, and CPD. These crucial developments would not have been possible without the generosity and continuing support of our alumni community, donors and sponsors and we owe particular thanks to the late Sir Bernard Schreier for the Gideon Schreier Wing, to the late Vincent Cheung (LLB 1965) for the Denys Holland Lecture Theatre, and to Winston Chu (LLB, 1960) for the Cissy Chu Common room.. 

The building unites, physically and socially, all existing parts of the Faculty’s home, combining tradition with bright, modern and wheelchair-accessible spaces for students, staff, alumni and friends to meet, relax and share ideas. In support of UCL’s sustainability agenda, Bentham House incorporates green features including a bio-diverse roof and photovoltaic panels which reduce carbon output. In 2019 it was awarded a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating which recognises sustainable design and construction.