The hearing took place via Skype, with most parties ready and logged in well before time. The only exception was Benny, who makes a habit of turning up late to hearings, or so we’re told. That was most certainly the case at the Nominet hearing, when he turned up nearly an hour late. It was odd, because he was there when we all logged in, then he disappeared. It is more than likely, yet another example of the childish antics which we have come to expect from him.

Mr Bennison spoke first and gave a rendition of his usual, incredible, take on events. We will not bore you with it, as we have heard it many times before, all the accusations against a number of other people. To boil it down, Benny believes that the defendant in this case has control over the internet as a whole and is solely responsible for every critical post made about him.

His mission was to convince the court that if they stopped the defendant in this case posting, his problems would be over. No idea how he thinks this would work in the context of the fora, where everyone uses screen names, so how would anyone know if the defendant had followed such an order, had it been granted?

The defendant mentioned the fact that Benny was a vexatious plaintiff and made the point that he didn’t have a penny to his name, having just been recently discharged from his bankruptcy. The defendant was anxious to avoid the same fate as Nominet, who, due to Benny’s earlier failed actions and unpaid costs, ended up £50,000 out of pocket. The defendant pointed out that he cannot afford this.

The defendant also requested the case be referred to Manchester, as his disabilities would make a trip to London exceedingly difficult. The judge seemed sympathetic, although Benny, the well-known legal expert, didn’t seem to be aware that the High court does sit outside London; his response was that he did not want the move granted, as he wanted the case to remain with the High Court.