Chester Alexander Porter QC (1926 -2021)

17/03/2021

Vale

Chester Alexander Porter QC passed away on 15 March 2021.

Chester was admitted to the NSW Bar in 1948 having completed his studies at Sydney University, joining Denman Chambers. He later moved to 12th Floor Selborne Chambers where he spent the bulk of his career. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1974. He attained the milestone of having 52 years at the Bar before retiring in 2000. He was involved in numerous high profile matters including: the Frederick McDermott, Voyager and Chamberlain Royal Commissions, the trials of Judge John Foord, Detective Sgt Roger Rogerson and Andrew Kalajzich.

Chester was appointed a Life Member of the New South Wales Bar Association on 15 June 2000. After his retirement, he wrote three books based on his experiences at the Bar:

• Walking on Water: a life in the law, Random House, 2004
• The Gentle Art of Persuasion - How to argue effectively, Random House, 2005
• The Conviction of the Innocent - How the law can let us down, Random House, 2007.

Chester is survived by his wife, Jean, and two of his daughters, Mary Davis and Dr Josie McSkimming, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His daughter Dorothy Porter, the renowned poet, died in 2008.

Members will be advised of funeral details when they are available.