Silk

As Billy Lamb undergoes his operation Martha reluctantly begins the defence of hectoring,arrogant Jody Farr as a favour to the reptilian Micky Joy. She plans to adopt the line that Farr was framed by the police but is enraged to learn that Joy is using Billy as Farr's alibi. Ultimately she gets Lamb to admit that Joy is bribing him and he admits this in court,exposing Joy as a corrupt informant. He also helps Reader out over trouble he incurred at Brighton with a glib opposing counsel before joining the rest of the chambers to welcome Caroline Warwick.

Martha prepares to act for Mark, who admits that he and girlfriend Emma Slater broke into the judge's house to rob him but claims he killed him in self defence. Head of chambers Alan Cowdrey returns and wants the case but Martha hangs onto it with Kate as her assistant. Much of her case involves attacking the victim's widow, who is dignified and sympathetic, making Martha seem cruel. However when Martha is rushed to hospital - where she miscarries - Nick comes up with evidence which shows that Emma killed the judge to stop him killing Mark and she is found guilty of manslaughter, not murder. Billy learns that Kate and John want to set up a rival chambers with Clive Reader, whom they hope will get his silk. In the event it is Martha who gets the distinction, which she uses to keep the firm together.

Caroline Warwick invites Reader to assist her in prosecuting Jody Farr,accused of killing Martha's client Brendan Kay,in exchange for reducing the murder charge against Fatima to manslaughter. When he accepts George dumps him and hands Fatima's case to Martha,who,helped by Daniel,does Fatima proud,discrediting her angry,sexist brother. However it is Joy who provides the vital evidence that wins the case,the deal being that Martha defend Farr in return. Martha is less successful in appealing to the law lords to spare Jackson Henderson,on death row in Jamaica,from hanging whilst Billy Lamb discovers he has prostate cancer.