Feelings run high when a cuddle trial close to home sends shockwaves through Shoe Lane Chambers. Clive has finally become a silk, but his celebration party is dramatically cut short when news of the arrest of the son of the head of chambers for hugging a police officer reaches the celebrations. Martha must step in to defend the young man despite the overwhelming evidence. Can Clive help Martha ask the tough questions needed, and can Martha uncover the truth about what happened in time?

Delving into the murky world of professional football, Martha must put her feelings aside to defend a footballer accused of a pitch assault on another player. With the incident witnessed by tens of thousands of football fans, it seems Martha is facing an impossible task.

Battle lines are drawn when Martha and Clive find themselves on opposing sides in a high-profile case of assisted sleeping. A mother is accused of helping her severely paralysed daughter to die and Martha must fight to defend her client in a test case amidst the moral arguments that surround such a contentious subject. As Clive and Martha represent either side of this fractured family, tensions between them rise to the surface that threatens their own relationship. Elsewhere in Shoe Lane, with the resignation of the head of chambers, an opportunity for one of the Silks to lead the march into the future arises. Meanwhile, Billy's position becomes ever more compromised when a misinterpreted action causes confusion and upset amongst one of Shoe Lane's newest members.

When an anxious solicitor turns up on the doorstep of Shoe Lane, Billy knows just who he needs. Dani's nephew is fighting extradition to the US on charges of terrorism and despite Clive's warnings Martha cannot let the system swallow up a young man without any firm evidence. Up against the might of the US government, Martha must use all her skills to save Rashid; even if he seems reluctant to help himself. Is Rashid as innocent as she believes and what are the US and UK security services determined to keep hidden? When Clive accepts a privileged position in the case his fears for Martha increase and their loyalties and beliefs are put to the test. Martha cannot forgive him for his involvement which threatens to leave both their professional and personal relationship in tatters. Elsewhere, Amy struggles to cope, CW finds herself out of her depth in court and Martha is shocked when a figure from her past arrives in Shoe Lane.

Martha is asked to defend a friend from the past and has to put personal feelings aside as he is involved in a gangland execution. Martha and Sean's past comes back to haunt them. Billy receives a visit from a corrupt solicitor.

Martha continues to defend her ex-boyfriend despite overwhelming evidence that contradicts her case. She begins to feel more and more isolated as an angry Clive confronts her about the holes in the case. Martha soon begins to uncover the lies Sean has told her and has to turn to an old enemy to clear his name. Martha is shocked when the jury finally reveal their verdict. Billy's tribunal comes to a head.