David Portch

David Portch is the Director of Clerking at Five Paper. In addition to being actively involved in the management of chambers and the overall supervision of the clerking and administration teams, David ensures the continuing development of the Chambers Business Plan. He also oversees the practice management and strategic development of both chambers and members individual practices’, as well as building and maintaining relationships with our clients and the wider industries within which we work, both domestically and internationally.

David is ably assisted by a dedicated team who provide a friendly, efficient and professional service. They are committed to ensuring that our clients’ needs are met and that our standards of service remain high.

David joined Five Paper in 2006, being promoted to Senior Clerk in May 2016, and Director of Clerking in October 2024. His clerking career began in July 1998 with Old Square Chambers before moving to 39 Essex Street.

Memberships:

• R3 (Association of Business Recovery Professionals) and Membership Committee member
• SHLA (Social Housing Lawyers Association)
• Institute of Barristers Clerks
• LPMA (Legal Practice Management Association)

Directory quotes:

Chambers & Partners (2025)

“Led by David Portch, the clerking team is fantastic. They have great knowledge of the barristers and the diaries, and can provide an answer on fees or availability efficiently and without delay.”

“David Portch, senior clerk, has a great team of clerks. Their ability to deliver to budget and overall value for money is strong.”

“The clerks are very responsive and helpful.”

“The clerks are very accommodating where they can be, professional and always courteous and appreciative.”

Chambers & Partners (2024)

“David Portch, senior clerk, is always great to work with. He is reactive and committed to developing his team’s business. he is a real asset.”

“The clerks are always responsive to requests and how they can assist us.”

Chambers & Partners (2023)

“The clerking team, led impeccably by David Portch, senior clerk, are always willing to assist and seek to ensure that briefs are allocated at an appropriate level, ensuring that clients procure both excellent representation and value for money.”

“The clerks are committed and go out of their way to accommodate their clients. Top notch.”

Chambers & Partners (2022)

“The clerking is very good and the team is always very helpful.” “They are brilliant; the clerks are great and they are very efficient in coming back to you.”

Chambers & Partners (2021)

 “The clerks really do go out of their way to assist in whichever way they can. Their services are friendly and inviting, which makes stressful legal proceedings so much easier to deal with.” “I have a lot of time and respect for the chambers, particularly because of the clerking service.”

Chambers & Partners (2020)

“Five Paper have a brilliant clerking team and they are willing to bend over backwards to help wherever possible. They also seem to have a real understanding of the practicalities of housing law.” “The clerks make booking counsel a dream.” Senior clerk David Portch “leads from the front.”

Chambers & Partners (2019)

“The clerks are fantastic – things get followed up in minutes and they’re really easy to work with.” “The clerks are courteous, helpful and always willing to assist.”

Legal 500 (2024)

David Portch is brilliant and incredibly responsive.’
‘David Portch is a first rate clerk.’

The Legal 500 (2023)

‘Five Paper is my go to set. They go out of their way to accommodate their clients and have counsel covering all levels of experience.’

‘From the clerks to counsel, I cannot find fault with Five Paper; they are courteous, skilled and knowledgeable …….. They will always look to assist in any way possible and have never hesitated to go the extra mile to ensure assistance is given.’

The clerks are excellent, particularly David Portch, who manages the team brilliantly.’

The Legal 500 (2022)

‘David Portch is a calm, yet authoritative, confident and very competent Head Clerk.’

‘David Portch and his team are excellent great service provided and value for money – I have worked with David for many years and he and his team are very professional and always prompt to return calls and arrange counsel to cover hearings even at short notice.’

‘The clerks make a huge difference to us when it comes to customer service and probably distinguish this set from other London barristers as a result. They always work hard to find us the right barrister and the right price.’

‘Very happy with the service provided by the clerks, always professional and eager to help.’

The Legal 500 (2021)

testimonials on the clerks: ‘The service from counsel and the clerks is second to none. The clerks are well led by David Portch and each of them are extremely personable and nothing is too much trouble. They will always pull out all the stops to ensure a hearing is covered.’

The Legal 500 (2020)

comments on the clerks room and service: ‘the clerks are very personable and diligent; led well by David Portch’

Click here for David on LinkedIn.