His work is law – and advising MPs on it
AN ACADEMIC at Edge Hill University has been appointed to advise some of the country’s most senior politicians on international law.
His appointment comes as the Government’s blueprint for post-Brexit Britain and its implications surrounding international law agreements have dominated the media headlines.
Law lecturer Dr Patrick Butchard has been selected as Research Fellow in the International Affairs and Defence Section of the House of Commons Library, an independent research unit that provides impartial information to MPs and their staff.
He will be responsible for producing research briefings and analysis on major pieces of international law legislation for MPs and the public.
Most recently, he has contributed to a briefing paper on the UK Internal Market Bill, specifically examining the bill’s compatibility with international law, which has dominated the Brexit debate in recent days.
The year-long Parliamentary Academic Fellowship scheme invites academics to propose a project of their choice to help build public understanding of, and enhance, Parliament’s work.
Chosen fellows, such as Dr Butchard, are given the opportunity to conduct primary research in Parliament and given access to its significant library and archive collections.
IT’S that time of year again when Woodlands Animal Sanctuary is stocking up on food and bedding for their animals to keep them warm and fed over the winter months.
Their Buy A Bale Appeal allows you to donate one of three amounts which will go towards the increased bills the charity incurs over the winter.
The animal charity can spend in the region of £3,400 annually on hay and straw for their animals with the majority of this needed during winter because the animals spend more time in their stables, pens and hutches.
Ponies, donkeys, goats, sheep, rabbits and guinea pigs all utilise hay and straw and the cost of these can sometimes vary dramatically depending on the prices from farmers that year.
Being economical with supplies is a large part of how the sanctuary operates, but sometimes costs increase.
With options to buy one or two small bales, or one large bale this scheme caters for everyone’s pocket. These are generic prices, due to the way the appeal is run, but all monies go towards these costs.
Woodlands try to buy bales off the field where possible in bulk as this can help to reduce the price. In the last month they have spent £900 on straw.
You can visit www. woodlandsanimalsanctuary.org. uk to Buy A Bale and help support their animals this winter.