Justice (ITV 1971-1974, Margaret Lockwood, Philip Stone)

Crime drama series Justice followed cases of successful female barrister Harriet Peterson. In the first season Harriet was based in an unspecified Midlands or Northern town working the court circuit but attached to a chambers in London run by Sir John Gallaher. Midway through the season she also began a relationship with Dr Ian Moody, this romance developed slowly and caused some irritation to Sir John who felt that Harriet had the potential to become a top London QC if she didn’t let herself get sidetracked by becoming a housewife.

When season two began Harriet had made the decision to move to London working with Sir John, with Dr Ian Moody following along. John Bryans also joins the cast in the second season with the minor role of Bill the clerk of the Chambers. He initially is not at all pleased by Harriet’s arrival but quickly comes to admire her. He had actually also appeared in season one episode By Order of the Magistrates as a completely different character.

When the third and final season arrived Sir John was gone, having become a high court judge. Newly arrived at the chambers wss James Eliot, a high-flying barrister who was much younger than Harriet and was already earning twice as much. By the end of the second episode though Harriet has been named Head of Chambers. Her relationship with Ian Moody is still nothing much of anything but Moody does make the decision to move to London full time to start his own Harley Street practice. The final episode of the season and of the show itself saw Harriet making up her mind and finally agreeing to marry Ian.

Justice can be considered something of a companion series to the fabulous The Main Chance. Edmund Ward and John Malcom had created that series and joined forces with James Mitchell (best known for Callan and When The Boat Comes In). Writers Ray Jenkins and David Lees were also heavily involved in coming up with the format for the series.

Like the Main Chance producer Peter Willes wanted the series to be as factually accurate as possible. For extra authenticity, once each episode was written it was submitted to a real life barrister.

It should be noted that at the start of season 2 Sir John’s surname changed from Gallaher to Gallagher. The addition of an extra G in there presumably very important. Not sure whose decision it was but series co-creators Edmund Ward and John Batt had done a similar thing in their previous series The Main Chance. The fabulous Anna Palk’s character Sarah went from being surnamed Courtnay to Courtney in between seasons.

See also one off 1969 play Justice Is A Woman which although not officially connected to this series did feature Margaret Lockwood as a female barrister and was produced by Peter Willes who also produced this series.

production details
UK / ITV – Yorkshire / 39×50 minute episodes / Broadcast 8 October 1971 – 16 August 1974

Creators: Edmund Ward, John Malcolm, James Mitchell / Executive Producer: Peter Willes / Producer: James Ormerod

cast
Margaret Lockwood as Harriet Petersen
Philip Stone as Sir John Gallaher (Seasons 1-2)
John Stone as Doctor Ian Moody
John Bryans as Bill, Clerk of Chambers (Seasons 2-3)
Anthony Valentine as James Eliot (Season 3)

THE EPISODES
SEASON ONE 8 October 1971 – 14 January 1972
1. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING OF ALL (8 Oct 71)
2. BY ORDER OF THE MAGISTRATES (15 Oct 71)
3. WITNESSES COST EXTRA (22 Oct 71)
4. THE RAIN IT RAINETH (29 Oct 71)
5. WITHIN A YEAR AND A DAY (5 Nov 71)
6. TO HELP AN OLD SCHOOL FRIEND (12 Nov 71)
7. NO FLOWERS, BY REQUEST (19 Nov 71)
8. WHEN DID YOU FIRST FEEL THE PAIN? (26 Nov 71)
9. A NICE STRAIGHTFORWARD TREASON (3 Dec 71)
10. PEOPLE HAVE TOO MANY RIGHTS (10 Dec 71)
11. YOU DIDN’T PAY FOR JUSTICE (17 Dec 71)
12. A LICENCE TO BUILD YOUR OWN MONEY (7 Jan 72)
13. A DUTY TO THE COURT (14 Jan 72)