Walking On Water
  • Published: 1 April 2011
  • ISBN: 9781742743646
  • Imprint: Random House Australia
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 330
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Walking On Water

A Life In The Law

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EBook
1 Apr 2011
Paperback
1 Jul 2004
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Reflections and rumblings on human nature and the law from one of Australia's longest serving criminal defence barristers, once nicknamed 'The Smiling Funnelweb', Chester Porter QC.

Reflections and rumblings on human nature and the law from one of Australia's longest serving criminal defence barristers, once nicknamed 'The Smiling Funnelweb', Chester Porter QC.

Chester Porter's life in the law began in 1948, when at the age of 21 he was the youngest lawyer to be admitted to the Bar. He took silk in 1974 and quickly became known as Sydney's best defence lawyer, shunning the courtroom theatricals favoured by many of his rivals.’Young Chester’ was the man others would go to if they were in strife.

Chester's most famous cases included successfully defending the ‘once only's’ such as Detective Sgt Roger Rogerson on bribery charges, and Judge John Foord who was accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice. He was counsel assisting the Northern Territory Commissions of Inquiry into the convictions of Lindy and Michael Chamberlain. After clocking up scores of legendary victories, some of Macquarie Street's more larrikin lawyers produced a limited edition t- shirt with ‘Chester Porter Walks on Water’- a slogan that sums up an illustrious career that spanned more than 50 years.

This is not merely a reflection of human nature at its worst but also an overview of how the law has changed and developed over the years. From the McDermott Royal Commission to the reform of forensic evidence and the future of the law in Australia, this is the long-awaited memoir from one of Australia's most respected QC's.
  • Published: 1 April 2011
  • ISBN: 9781742743646
  • Imprint: Random House Australia
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 330
Categories:
Share…

About the author

Chester Porter

Chester Porter retired from the Bar in 2000. The Bar Council of NSW made him an Honorary Life Member in for his exceptional service to the Bar and the profession of law.

As barrister Peter Clyne once commented: "I had the doubtful pleasure of being cross examined by Chester. That experience is rather like having your throat cut, quietly, courteously and swiftly".

His books include the memoir Walking on Water and The Gentle Art of Persuasion and Conviction of the Innocent.

portrait photo of Chester Porter

Also by Chester Porter

Conviction Of The Innocent
The Gentle Art Of Persuasion
See all

Praise for Walking On Water

There are many dull legal memoirs; this is not one of them!

Times Literary Supplement

These memoirs should be a prescribed text for legal studies in schools and police academies. Members of parliament might learn a thing or two as well!

The Weekend Australian

We should all read Walking On Water and be better educated, and no one should embark on litigation before they have done so. By the time they lay the volume down, they will have cooled off, left their solicitor untelephoned, saved themselves a bucket of money and averted a heart attack.

Australian Book Review

I am rather averse to people who express criticism but do not suggest improvements. Walking On Water memorably illustrates successive faults in our laws and courts over the last half century and always suggests feasible and humane solutions.

Hon. E.G.Whitlam

The first day in court Chester reminded me of a cheeky, bright- eyed sparrow with eyes and ears everywhere.

Lindy Chamberlain

You f***in beauty! Chester Porter is the man. Get him regardless of the expense!

Neddy Smith

The value of this melange of biography, anecdote and ruminations lies in its rarity...

Sydney Morning Herald