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Rumpole defends Ossie, a black youth charged with attempted murder - but it looks like such an open-and-shut case that the old barrister admits the best chance of getting his client off will be if the judge turns out to be a Jamaican teenager. But then Rumpole learns the lad's secret, and he gets the scent of a win.

Rumpole is busy in the Old Bailey defending young Jim Timson, who has been grassed up for armed robbery by 'Peanuts' Molloy - one of a rival gang of East End villains with whom the Timsons have an age-old feud. For more, see Recap.

Rumpole is in the west of England to defend Kathy Trelawney, who is charged with selling cannabis to a police agent provocateur. He also looks up an old friend from his time in the Royal Air Force, Sam 'Three Fingers' Dogherty.

Rumpole defends Ken Aspen, a politician accused of raping a party worker. The defendant admits there was intercourse but claims it was consensual, and Rumpole believes he has found a strong line of defense.

Meanwhile, Rumpole's favorite clerk has been accused of stealing from the petty cash at Number 3, Equity Court...

Rumpole defends Mrs Thripp in a divorce action brought by her husband, who is claiming adultery by his wife. She Who Must Be Obeyed (Hilda Rumpole) forms the opinion that her husband has a mistress - with curious results. Meanwhile, the aggrieved Thripp has begun a battle of notes.

Guthrie Featherstone, with Rumpole as his junior, defends a safe-cracker who claims to have been framed by the notorious Inspector "Dirty" Dickerson. Rumpole risks his reputation by attacking police corruption before a police-friendly judge - and as a result he finds himself called to a disciplinary hearing. There is even the possibility that Rumpole may be forced to retire, but he digs his toes in.