Keele alumnus appointed to Court of Appeal
Her Majesty The Queen has approved the appointment of one Lady Justice and six Lord Justices of Appeal, including Keele alumnus Sir Peter Coulson.
Peter joined Keele University in 1976 to begin his Foundation Year, before studying Law as part of his Dual Honours degree in English and Law. After graduating, he undertook his first six months pupillage in Construction Law, going on to forge an enviable reputation as one of the leading authorities in the country.
Called to the bar (Gray’s Inn) in 1982, he became a well-respected junior at the Technology and Construction Bar from 1983 onwards. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2001 and he became a Recorder the same year. In 2004, he was appointed a Senior Circuit Judge in the Technology and Construction Court - the first Keele Alumnus to be appointed to this position.
In 2008 he was appointed as a High Court Judge in the Queen’s Bench Division. He was a presiding Judge of the North Eastern Circuit between 2011 and 2014. He was then appointed as the Judge in Charge of the Technology and Construction Court in 2016.
Mr Justice Coulson is also the Director on the Board of three Charitable Trusts, addressing needs including supporting young people with learning difficulties.
Mr Justice Coulson has also been heavily involved in supporting the development of the Law Rocks! charity. As a regular visitor to Keele, he has been an enthusiastic supporter of our students, returning in 2012 to accept an honorary doctorate and to award prizes to our own graduating finalists, and in 2017 for the 50th anniversary celebrations of our Law School, where he gave a keynote speech.
The appointment of Lord and Lady Justices of the Court of Appeal are made by Her Majesty The Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor following the recommendation of an independent selection panel.