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Dr Mark Butler

Lecturer in Law, Barrister (Lincoln’s Inn)

Mark’s research interests are centred on UK employment law and EU labour law. He is particularly focused on employee rights, and currently he is conducting research in the area of age discrimination protections in the context of retirement.

UK employment law and EU labour law

Mark has co-authored a number of books. In 2011, European Employment Laws: A Comparative Guide (with S. Hardy) (2nd ed) was published. This book '[r]eviews the evolution of labour law within the EU, analyses the distinct regional approaches to employment and welfare, and looks at the pressures for change within a further enlarged EU.’ (Amazon.com book description). Also in 2011, Mark co-authored the Non-Discrimination Handbook with Professor David Sugarman, which was published by the Publications Office of the European Union and funded by the Fundamental Rights Agency (Vienna). The Handbook is used as both a source for training stakeholders involved in matters pertaining to discrimination, and the Council of Europe's official guide on discrimination issues. It is used by law enforcers, prosecutors, practiioners and the judiciary as the reference point when an instance of discrimination occurs. The Handbook is being translated into all 37 Council of Europe languages. In 2007, Mark co-wrote International Themes in Business Law, five volumes (with S. Hardy).

Mark has also written a number of book chapters and journal articles. The complete list can be found on Mark's research profile.

Importance of research outside academia

Impacts on public policy, law and services:

Mark was invited to speak at the Council of Europe’s seminar on non-discrimination law where he discussed the impact and importance of the Non-Discrimination Handbook. He was also a panel member in the round table discussion that took place during the seminar. 

The Non-Discrimination Handbook was distributed across all Council of Europe member states as an authoritative guide to discrimination law in Europe. Launching the Handbook at a seminar for judges and legal practitioners at the European Court of Human Rights on 21st March 2011, the Court's President Jean-Paul Costa said: 'The Handbook will improve access to justice for victims of discrimination across Europe.'

Impacts on practitioners and professional services:

Mark is organising and chairing the Industrial Law Society Manchester meetings, alongside Judge Rachel Wedderspoon. The Industrial Law Society is the leading employment law seminar series  for practitioners providing invaluable updates for all those involved in employment law/litigation disputes as well as those wishing to stay ahead of recent developments.

Mark gave a talk at the Academy of European Law’s Annual Conference on EU Labour Law 2012. The paper he presented was titled 'Equality and Non-discrimination: recent jurisprudence with special attention to age discrimination: Prigge, Hennings, and May, Fuchs/ Köhler.' The talk was primarily aimed at lawyers in Europe.

Invitation to speak at 9 St John Street’s (Barrister Chambers Manchester) employment law spring conference in April 2011. The paper he presented was titled 'Discrimination law: where are we going?'

'Dilemma’s in Age Discrimination' presented at the Industrial Law Society Manchester Meeting, 30th November 2009 which was attended by legal practitioners and members of the judiciary.

'Age Discrimination: An International Issue' presented at the Conference on Legal Education and Globalisation, School of Law, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing, China on 19th September 2009. This conference was attended by judges and government officials from various sectors as well as representatives from major law firms in Beijing.

'Westmorland Law Society: Employment Law Update', presented to practitioner members of the Westmorland Law Society, September 2009

The nature of Mark’s work means it also has the potential to improve access to justice in the context of employment law.

View Mark's full profile.

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