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 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.