JUNIOR PROFILE

Nicholas Cotter

UK Bar 2026

3PB Barristers

Ranked in 3 practice areas

Health & Safety

Western (Bar)

5 years ranked

Crime

Western (Bar)

10 years ranked

Professional Discipline

The Regions (Bar)

2 years ranked

About

Provided by 3PB Barristers

Practice Areas

https://www.3pb.co.uk/barristers/nicholas-cotter/

Nicholas Cotter specialises in regulatory law (including HSE, EPA, CQC, Sports and business regulations), fraud, serious crime and disciplinary law. He provides strategic and client centered advice and is an assured and calm presence in court.

Nicholas undertakes instructions in a wide variety of regulatory and quasi-criminal matters and has prosecuted for a number of local and national authorities. He has extensive experience representing employers, employees, directors and companies often charged with complicated offences that carry profound reputational damage.

Nicholas is often instructed to provide pre-charge advice upon the merits of a matter before action and is well versed in providing realistic, swift and cost appropriate advice to both those insured and self-funding.

He has extensive expertise in serious Health and Safety (involving fatality and serious injury), maritime work and sports law.

Nicholas regularly represents parties in serious fraud (including SFO cases), serious sexual offending and murder cases nationwide.

He is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public and professional clients under the Direct Access (or Public Access) scheme.

Career

Called 1999.

Professional Memberships

• A Grade 4 Crown Prosecutor

• Member of the Rape Panel of Crown Prosecutors

• Member of the Serious Crime Panel of Crown Prosecutors

• Member of the Serious Fraud Panel of Crown Prosecutors

• ADR Group accredited Civil and Commercial mediator

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Health & Safety - Western (Bar)

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Nicholas Cotter has notable experience representing private individuals as well as companies in complex health and safety cases. He regularly handles cases arising from a wide spectrum of incidents.

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Professional Discipline - The Regions (Bar)

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Nicholas Cotter regularly defends professionals, particularly in the healthcare and sports regulatory sectors.

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Crime - Western (Bar)

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Nicholas Cotter has a general criminal and regulatory practice, with an emphasis on the Western Circuit and London. He has a track record of acting both for the prosecution and for the defence in cases involving fraud, organised crime, serious sexual offences and murder. His expertise also includes regulatory law, with particular experience handling environmental law and health and safety matters.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Nicholas is always good, he builds empathy and understanding and is an outstanding advocate.
Health & SafetyUK Bar
He was amazing with the client; he was firm but fair, and it was exactly what we needed. He is so in tune with what approach he needs to take with the client.
Health & SafetyUK Bar
He's an absolute star. He is a hugely talented and experienced regulatory lawyer who's calm demeanour and court room skill have helped many grateful clients over many years.
Health & SafetyUK Bar
Nicholas is really clear, concise, extremely knowledgeable and fantastic with the client. His advocacy is fantastic.
CrimeUK Bar