Justice: Twice the Legal Limit (ITV 19 Jul 1974, with Ralph Michael)

In Twice The Legal Limit the time has arrived for Harriet to re-apply for silk but her latest case could just scupper her plans. Renowned Judge Justice Bebbington has been accused of being twice over the legal limit after being breathalysed following a road traffic accident. It’s a cut and dried case, or so it should be but the judge is insisting on pleading Not Guilty. When James discovers what is going on he thinks Bebbington may be using Harriet to set up a crooked defence. Something which could spell disaster for her high court ambitions.

It turns out that James had appeared before Justice Bebbington with an almost identical case on the day Bebbington was breathalysed. Eliot discovered a technicality that got his man off and James is convinced that Bebbington has set things up so that he is using the same defence. It is obvious that Bebbington deliberately mislead the constable who then failed to actually arrest him, if it comes out in court it could mean at the least bad publicity for Harriet at the worst disciplinary action. Unsung heroes of the chambers, Rosie the secretary (played by Rosie Collins) and Bill Corletti (John Bryans).

Despite this Harriet feels she has no choice but to continue with the case. Bebbington gets off on a technicality, the presiding judge is none too pleased. After summoning Harriet to his chambers he makes it plain he will be putting in a report to the Lord Chancellor (the man responsible for deciding whether to give Harriet Silk or not) and Bebbington himself threatens to report Harriet to the Bar Council for breaching a client confidence.

Thankfully for Harriet a meeting between herself, Bebbington and the Lord Chancellor clears the air and makes Harriet’s position plain. She is made a QC.

This was the excellent Ralph Michael’s second appearance this season as Justice Bebbington. The Lord Chancellor demands a meeting with Harriet, James and Bebbington.

classic quote
“To hell with taking Silk I’ll be lucky if I’m left with a career.”

production details
UK / ITV – Yorkshire / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Friday 19 July 1974 at 9.00pm

Writer: John Batt / Production Design: Eric Shedden / Director: Brian Farnham

Series: Justice Season 3 Episode 9

cast
Margaret Lockwood as Harriet Peterson
Anthony Valentine as James Eliot
John Stone as Ian Moody
John Bryans as Bill Corletti
Rosie Collins as Rosie
Ralph Michael as Justice Bebbington
Basil Henson as Basil Stewart
John Rolls as Arthur Jones
John OXley as P.C. Mitchell
Allen Bromley as Manservant
Richard Pescud as Mr Martin
Michael Golden as Chairman
William Fox as Justice Quentin
Alick Hayes as Usher
Seymour Matthews as Reporter
Geoffrey Tomlinson as Assiciate
Noel Johnson as Lord Chancellor
Peter Myers as Braithwaite
Ted Morris as Jury Foreman