They continue to attract recognition for their professionalism and ability.

A source reports that the clerks, led by Paul Jennings, are “very friendly and very easy to deal with – I expected a high standard of service and we get it.” This source adds: “We’ve used a number of tax counsel previously and this has been the most straightforward.”

Another interviewee adds that “the clerks are a really good bunch – it’s a very well organised crew, everything is done quickly and professionally.”

Chambers and Partners UK Bar 2024 

Court of Protection: Property & Affairs – All Circuits – Band 1 

“Paul Jennings is excellent. He is very experienced, takes time to understand what you want, and gives great service.”

“The clerks at 5 Stone Buildings are always helpful and responsive.”

“The clerks are at the top of their game. They are approachable and easy to work with.”

Chancery: Tradition – London – Band 1 

“The clerks are absolutely first rate and their clerks room, run by Paul Jennings, is fantastic and a credit to the set. All concerned are commercial and they just get it.”

“Paul and the team of clerks are friendly, approachable, helpful and always responsive.”

“I can call the clerks with any matter, however large or small, and know there will be someone whom I can instruct.”

“The clerks are incredibly responsive – I almost always receive a response to any query within an hour or so.”

Tax: Private client – London – Band 3 

“Senior clerk Paul Jennings and the team are good and responsive.”

“The clerks are very knowledgeable.”

Chambers and Partner High Net Worth 2022 

“Everything always runs smoothly. The set is very easy to deal with and very well run.” “The clerks are really responsive and helpful.” Paul Jennings heads the team. “He is practical, approachable and keen get the job done – a pleasure to work with.”

Chambers and Partners UK Bar 2020 

“The clerks are all very polite and helpful. They’re very good at suggesting alternative barristers if the usual choice is not available.”

“The clerking service is efficient and friendly.”

Legal 500 2020 

“All the clerks are fantastic: responsive, friendly and competent”.

“Clerks I have dealt with are friendly and efficient. I usually deal with Paul Jennings who is both”.

“Easy to deal with and experienced. They have a good knowledge of the subject matter and are well-versed in matching counsel to a particular assignment”.

“Efficient and timely. Paul Jennings is always a pleasure to deal with, as is Dan Coote”.

“Excellent and efficient service throughout and every clerk I liaised with were helpful and dealt with any queries expeditiously”.

“First-rate clerks, who really understand solicitors’ needs. Paul Jennings and Dan Coote are quite excellent and very personable”. 

“Dan Coote has been very efficient and helpful”.

“Paul Jennings – excellent, willing to be helpful and pragmatic about how costs are managed, backed up by great juniors, in particular Dan Coote”.

“Paul Jennings is an excellent senior clerk, approachable and professional”.

“The clerks are always very helpful and quick to respond to queries. 

“The clerks are excellent in matching up the strengths of the various counsel with the relevant case matters and are very helpful in making the necessary arrangements!”.

“The clerks go out of their way. Paul and Dan Coote are always attentive and helpful”.

“They are very helpful and I can often obtain information from them outside their normal course of work”.

“They are very helpful, especially when you require access to urgent advice”.

“Top notch both in terms of response times and assistance with document preparation”.

“We have found the clerks to be generally responsive and always helpful. We would say in particular Paul Jennings has an extremely good manner and understanding of what an instructing solicitor needs. He understands what you need beyond just the legal issues and understands the characters involved and is willing to bend over backwards to help you. He is approachable, responsive, commercially savvy and a pleasure to deal with”. 

Chambers and Partners High Net Worth 2019 

“Paul Jennings is excellent and runs a tight ship.”

“The clerks are very easy to deal with and it’s easy to develop good relationships with them. You can be confident they will find the right counsel for any problem and they are very responsive and approachable.”

Chambers UK 2018

“Senior clerk Paul Jennings is able ‘to match complexity of matter and resources of funds to a suitable barrister every time’. ‘He takes time to get to know instructing solicitors’ and is ‘always able to get things done, even in the trickiest of situations’. First junior Dan Coote also reaps praise: ‘he always ensures a rapid response and if a barrister is not available, he provides a replacement – not just someone who is available but someone who is suitable for the matter at hand’. As a team, all the clerks are ‘top-notch’ and ‘ready to go the extra mile for clients’.”

The Legal 500 2017

“The clerking is really good. Senior clerk Paul Jennings is someone you can ring and have an upfront chat with. He says ‘leave it with me’ and comes back with precisely what you’ve asked for. He understands exactly how this game works.”

“5 Stone Buildings is one of our go-to sets. Their rates are relatively reasonable and the clerking is great.”

Chambers UK 2017

Our clerks room is open between 8.45 a.m. to 6.15 p.m., Monday to Friday, during which time you can reach us on 020 7242 6201 or at clerks@5sblaw.com.

At other times please contact Paul Jennings or Dan Coote on the numbers within the contact tab.