Wigs and Wherefores : A Biography of Michael Sherrard QC

There is a generation of lawyers, barristers and solicitors alike, who, together with the many clients that he represented during a long and distinguished career, consider Michael Sherrard to have been one of the great recent influences on the legal profession and the Bar in particular.

Lord Denning, before whom he appeared in trials and appeals, said that he regarded him as ‘the best of advocates’. Michael Sherrard was involved in numerous high-profile cases in both domestic courts and those of the Far East.

This book provides a frank and entertaining account of Michael Sherrard’s life in the law.

Many of the events and personalities within its pages continue to spark public interest: the defence of James Hanratty; the inquiry into John Stonehouse's activities; encounters with Robert Maxwell; and the anti-apartheid activities of Peter Hain. The book also chronicles his major role in developing modern advocacy worldwide. Wherever the English common law has operated within the last twenty-odd years, the voice of Michael Sherrard speaks through many of the trained advocates. Wigs and Wherefores is ultimately the story of one man’s passion for the law, its intrigues and its traditions.

It is a compelling tale told with humour and compassion, providing a fascinating insight into the remarkable career of one of the foremost advocates of his generation.