Silk

With female QCs (Queen's Counsel) or 'silks' in a tiny minority, barrister Martha Costello, of the Shoe Lane Chambers, is anxious to join that elite number by progressing through the courts. Following a successful acquittal in a murder trial she is given two cases to defend at short notice. Mercedes Cordoba, a pregnant drugs mule. The other is Gary Rush, charged with robbing and assaulting elderly war hero Michael Dodd.

Martha's day begins badly when she discovers that she is pregnant and gets worse when she finds that scheming Billy has her down to defend Alan Bradley,accused of raping ex-girlfriend Annie with Reader - who has just bedded Niamh, his junior - prosecuting. In court Reader plays to the gallery, Annie appears fragile and Bradley accuses Martha of being too soft on her. Niamh gets bail for Gary Ross, whom Martha recently got off a robbery case but Martha doubts his innocence when, a WWII medal, appears in her locker.

Martha defends homeless teen-aged "rent boy" Mark Draper,charged with indecency in a public lavatory. Niamh and Nick separately represent a warring couple charged with owning dangerous dogs. Nick wins his case by chance while the more competent Niamh loses. She gets the next brief but Nick has to represent the third defendant in the indecency charge when his barrister falls ill.

Martha is forced to defend a police officer accused of racism at the police tribunal, at the same time as trying to get bail for another client. In the meantime, pressure increases on the pupils as the tenancy deadline draws near. And Clive receives some astonishing news which could change not only his personal life, but life at chambers for everyone.

Martha prosecutes a teacher accused of assaulting a pupil, but believes he is on too serious a charge and is not being properly defended by her colleague, Noah. Meanwhile, Nick takes on his first major case, and both Martha and Clive have their Silk interviews. Will Martha be able to ensure a fair trial for the teacher at the same time as succeeding in her interview?

Martha takes on the biggest case of her life, defending Mark Draper, a repeat offender on a murder charge at the Old Bailey. However, when the case starts to fall apart, Martha must try to remain focused on the trial as both personal and private pressures escalate. Meanwhile, it is decision time for the pupils, and the fate of chambers hangs in the balance.