TRIBUTES have been paid to a well known lawyer found dead in a village near Winchester.

An inquest has opened into the death of Southampton family barrister Stephen Cotton.

The 52-year-old died from hanging at his home in Oxford Road, Sutton Scotney, an inquest heard in Winchester.

The hearing was adjourned for further enquiries to resume on December 16.

Mr Cotton was a member of College Chambers in Carlton Crescent, Southampton. He was called to the bar in 1998.

He specialised in children’s law over issues such as care and adoption.

In a tribute on its website, the chambers said: “College Chambers are sad to announce that Steve passed away on September 28. He will be greatly missed by all his friends and colleagues. Steve was a popular, well-respected and senior member of the Bar.

“All those who knew and loved him pass on their thanks for the many messages of sympathy and support received from barristers, solicitors, judges and other professional colleagues.”

The statement, included tributes from friends, colleagues and clients: “The court teams have universally said that he was a gentleman, who treated them as equals and an advocate whom they would make a point of listening to.”

“He was a fine man and will be a huge loss to you all, and clearly to his family too."

“When I led Stephen he was an absolute delight to work with. Passionate about the cause, hard-working and insightful and it was not difficult to see why he has proved to be such a popular choice of advocate for many solicitors in Hampshire and beyond.”

The funeral service was held at at Southampton Crematorium East Chapel on Friday.