Former West Park student to receive knighthood after High Court Judge appointment

The High Court of Justice, located in Westminster, deals with the more complex and important civil cases in the country, as well as serious criminal cases.

Appeals from the Crown Court may also go to the High Court for a second trial, while High Court Judges may assist major cases in other areas of the country.

With a successful legal career spanning more than three decades, the former St Theresa’s and West Park (now De La Salle) pupil has continually rose to the highest of ranks in the legal profession; becoming a Queen’s Counsel judge in 2006, a Circuit Judge in 2010 and named Personal Injuries Barrister of the Year in 2009.

Reaching one of the pinnacles in the judiciary system, Judge Cotter QC was appointed to the High Court in October and sworn in as a High Court Judge by the Lord Chief Justice at the Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday, November 3.

It is an amazing success story for the Eccleston born judge, who initially hoped to work as a solicitor for Pilkington’s after graduating from University College London.

And while his profession has taken him to courts across the country, it can’t be said that Judge Cotter has forgotten where he came from.

Judge Cotter said: “I developed a practice with a specialism in Personal Injury Law which had been sparked by my father’s work as a Health and Safety Officer at Triplex Glass [which] was the foreword of one of the three text books which I wrote.”

With a lasting affinity with the town where he was born and brought up, the judge explained that he still visits St Helens regularly as his mother, brother and wider family still live here.

And like the majority of those brought up in our town, Judge Cotter added: “I remain and will always be a committed Saints fan.”