The website TopCriminalQC.co.uk seems like a spoof.
But Michael Wolkind QC’s chambers, 2 Bedford Row, have confirmed (with a weary sigh) that it’s real…
TopCriminalQC.co.uk‘s highlights include:
- A further boast, in addition to the “UK’s top barrister” claim, that Wolkind is “widely recognised as the UK’s top criminal trial barrister and top criminal appeals barrister”.
- A series of gushing client testimonials, stating, amongst other things uttered in the midst of relief at avoiding jail: “You are the most talented man I have ever met…you have given me my life back…you are awesome” and “What can I say, you are the Greatest.”
- A proudly featured quote about Wolfkind from a member of a notorious football hooligan group. “What was really nice was to see Michael Wolkind absolutely smash the police to bits,” writes Chelsea headhunter Jason Marriner.
- A surreal claim that Wolkind saved Barnet FC from relegation on the last day of the 2012 season (which, in fairness to the “UK’s top barrister”, seems to be an attempt to show that, contrary to the evidence elsewhere on the site, he doesn’t take himself too seriously after all).
Now, people may have been able to get away with creating online shrines to themselves in the pre-social media age, but subject this sort of material to the glare of Twitter and it doesn’t stand up so well.
Which is exactly what happened a couple of months ago when an account called ‘@mwolkindqc’ appeared, drawing the attention of the Twittersphere to TopCriminalQC.co.uk.
The account – which apparently boasted a remarkable 20,700 followers before it had even issued a single tweet – has since disappeared.
When contacted by Legal Cheek yesterday, Michael Wolkind QC said: “I certainly can not confirm I was ever the owner of that account,” before quipping: “Please cancel my subscription to Legal Chicks with immediate effect.”
Fortunately for Wolkind fans, Facebook offers an alternative way to keep up with the “UK’s top barrister”.