Rumpole of the Bailey

Timeless courtroom stories with a twist - John Mortimer's iconic drama

John Mortimer's iconic drama about a down-at-heel barrister, Horace Rumpole. His wife thinks he's been so busy playing parts in courts that he's lost trace of his own identity.

rumpole-of-the-bailey

S1, E1. Rumpole and The Younger Generation

Rumpole successfully defends a teenager accused of robbery with violence.

Rumpole and The Younger Generation

Rumpole successfully defends a teenager accused of robbery with violence, but his victory is marred by the knowledge that though innocent on this occasion, the boy is destined for a life of crime.

S1, E2. Rumpole and The Alternative Society

Rumpole is very content to be defending a drugs case in the peace of the West Country.

Rumpole and The Alternative Society

Rumpole is very content to be defending a drugs case in the peace of the West Country, and he finds himself attracted to the lifestyle of the defendant. However, the outcome of the trial is not so pleasing.

S1, E3. Rumpole and The Honourable Member

Rumpole is not particularly pleased to be defending in a rape case.

Rumpole and The Honourable Member

An MP is accused of raping one of his assistants; Rumpole is not particularly pleased to be defending in a rape case until he learns that his client is not on legal aid, and therefore he will earn a respectable fee.

While defending a divorce case, Rumpole is in danger of his own marriage breaking up.

Rumpole and The Married Lady

After a long period with no cases, Rumpole is working for his old friend and colleague Georgie Frobisher. While defending his divorce case, Rumpole is in danger of his own marriage breaking up.

It looks as if Rumpole has gone too far this time… or has he?

Rumpole and The Learned Friends

Rumpole accuses a dishonest policeman of framing his safe-cracking client, and finds himself in legal trouble when he is incapable of backing up his claim.

In spite of his battered hat, Rumpole is called to defend in a big murder trial.

Rumpole and The Heavy Brigade

Rumpole is called back to the Old Bailey to defend a petty crook on a murder charge. The evidence is stacked against the defendant, but it is Rumpoles battered old hat that becomes the focus of bemused attention in the chambers and beyond.

Rumpole clears a vicar, but unwittingly spoils George’s chances for a happy marriage.

Rumpole and The Man of God

Rumpole successfully clears a vicar of a shoplifting charge, but unwittingly spoils George Frobisher’s chances for a happy marriage. George becomes a judge but blames Rumpole for the great cost to his personal life.

Rumpole proves Dave Anstey to be the victim of a case of mistaken identity.

Rumpole and The Case of Identity

Rumpole proves Dave Anstey to be the victim of a case of mistaken identity, whilst reminding his Head of Chambers, Guthrie Featherstone, where his responsibilities lie.

The lead of East Grimble Repertory Theater asks Rumpole to represent her.

Rumpole and The Show Folk

Rumpole is flattered when the leading lady of East Grimble Repertory Theater sacks her leading counsel and ask Rumpole, his junior, to represent her when she’s tried for murder. He’s less happy when he realizes he may have been taken in by her charm.

Rumpole defends Captain Parkin, a known fascist, on a charge under the Race Relations Act.

Rumpole and The Facist Beast

Rumpole is surprised that his pupil in Chambers, Lutif Kahn, does not share his views towards Captain Rex Parkin, a known fascist, on a charge under the Race Relations Act. Rumpole uses his own effective methods in defending Captain Parkin.

S2, E5. Rumpole and The Course of True Love

An outbreak of bed-hopping may ruin the chances of Featherstone becoming a judge.

Rumpole and The Course of True Love

What appears to be an uncontrollable outbreak of bed-hopping is about to ruin the chances of Guthrie Featherstone QC MP becoming a judge, and Rumpole's client's career as a teacher.

S2, E6. Rumpole and The Age For Retirement

Rumpole defends a group of villains and realizes his family and friends have a scheme.

Rumpole and The Age For Retirement

Rumpole, in defending a group of petty villains, finds them guilty of conspiring to enforce the retirement of an elderly relative. A parallel is drawn when Rumpole realizes his own family and friends also have their scheme for his retirement.

Rumpole defends Harold Brittling, who has been arrested and charged with art forgery.

Rumpole and The Genuine Article

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

Rumpole visits Neranga to defend the Minister for Home Affairs, who’s charged with murder.

Rumpole and The Golden Thread

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

Rumpole defends a respectable couple charged with blackmail and a disorderly house.

Rumpole and The Old Boy Net

Rumpole defends a respectable couple charged with blackmail and running a disorderly house. Fighting against hypocritical Christianity and a unilateral code of honour, only an unexpected turn of events saves him.

S3, E4. Rumpole and The Female of the Species

Rumpole helps a villain charged with a crime and a barrister make a start in Chambers.

Rumpole and The Female of the Species

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 by his house, Rumpole is approached by the accused’s sister.

Rumpole and The Sporting Life

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, outwits an adversary, and tests loyalty, all whilst 'dead'.

Rumpole and The Last Resort

Rumpole defends his client from someone 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 whilst apparently dead.

Rumpole of the Bailey

Rumpole of the Bailey

Series 1

1. Rumpole and The Younger Generation

2. Rumpole and The Alternative Society

3. Rumpole and The Honourable Member

4. Rumpole and The Married Lady

5. Rumpole and The Learned Friends

6. Rumpole and The Heavy Brigade