Rumpole of the Bailey

After Harold Brittling buys an oil painting by a famous English painter at auction, he’s arrested and charged with forgery--and then calls on Rumpole to defend him.

Rumpole is flattered when his fame appears to have spread to Africa. He’s invited to the new State of Neranga to defend the Minister for Home Affairs who is charged with murder. He’s disillusioned to learn that he’s been brought out to lose the case.

A seemingly respectable old school couple arrested for running a brothel for upper-class clients are reluctant to help in their own defense.

Rumpole fights two cases: one to protect a small-time villain from a charge of serious crime, the other to help a young female barrister to make a start in Chambers. He uses supergrass and three of his own colleagues to achieve both ends.

When a judge is found dead near his house, Rumpole is approached by the sister of the accused and is reluctantly persuaded into accepting the case.

Rumpole defends his client from a bother who is out to ruin him; outwits his old adversary, Judge Bullingham; recoups outstanding debts; and tests the loyalty of his colleagues in Chambers. All this while apparently dead!