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?
Martha Costello is in her thirties, single, passionate and a defence barrister applying for silk. Innocent until proven guilty are four words she lives by. But how does this fundamental principle stand up to examination by clients who are sometimes good, sometimes bad and sometimes evil?
Martha is faced with challenging cases and surprising clients. Her beliefs and prejudices, her conscience and her faith in the criminal justice system are tested to the limit over the course of the series.
Joining Martha is Clive Reader. He's funny, gifted and dangerous. The same age as Martha, they're called to the bar together. Both are applying for silk - how they perform in court is vital to this process and Clive knows how to play the game.