Episodes

SeriesEpisodeTitleFirst
Broadcast
RepeatedComments
0101Qc At Any Cost1996041720120209/10 (BBC7)
/04 (BBC7)
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/21 (BBC7)
/7) (BBC7)
John Fuller-Carp, the Machiavellian head of chambers, is determined to become a QC and will perform almost any moral contortion to achieve his goal.

When left-wing Ruth Quirke, rumoured to be the daughter of a High Court judge, applies to join chambers at Forecourt Buildings, Fuller-Carp's imagination goes into overdrive. A hotline to the Lord Chancellor and promotion seems inevitable.

But will his 'New Labour' image amount to anything..?

Starring John Bird, James Fleet and Lesley Sharp.

Clive Coleman's sitcom about the questionable practices of a group of barristers.

Ruth Quirke - Lesley Sharp

Judge - Gavin Muir

Suggs - John Baddeley

Brinsley - Alex Lowe

Jen - Jane Whittenshaw

Producer Paul Schlesinger

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1996.

Hell-bent on becoming QC no matter what, John Fuller-Carp employs anyone who can help him.

0102The Right To Silence1996042420120216/17 (BBC7)
/11 (BBC7)
/17 (BBC7)
/28 (BBC7)
Hostilities between pompous Fuller-Carp and Ruth have intensified, and a walking holiday in the Lake District with an influential judge would seem to provide the perfect break.

However, a Crimewatch obsessed hotelier, an ambiguous fax and an impending murder trial conspire to turn the weekend into a nightmare.

Even the allure of the hotel's Nick Ross Carvery cannot redeem events...

Starring John Bird, James Fleet and Lesley Sharp.

Clive Coleman's sitcom about the questionable practices of a group of barristers.

Ruth Quirke - Lesley Sharp

Austin Weave - Jonathan Kydd

Other parts - Peter Serafinowcz

Producer Paul Schlesinger

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1996.

Incompetent pompous barrister John Fuller-Carp ends up on the wrong side of the law.

0103The Cab Rank Rule1996050120120223/24 (BBC7)
/18 (BBC7)
/24 (BBC7)
/04 (BBC7)
Fuller-Carp faces a dilemma when asked to represent animal rights activists, having just accepted an invitation to go fox-hunting with some influential High Court judges.

Nor is it just Fuller-Carp's dignity which is on the line, as LAM (Lawyers against Meat) is ready to pounce...

Clive Coleman's sitcom about the questionable practices of a group of barristers.

Ruth Quirke - Lesley Sharp

Simon De Vere - Jonathan Coy

Rob - Paul Shearer

Mr Porteus - Keith Drinkel

Mrs Porteus - Ann Beach

Producer Paul Schlesinger

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1996.

After extolling high standards at the bar, Fuller-Carp is embarrassed over animal rights.

0104Trial, By Television1996050820120301/02 (BBC7)
/25 (BBC7)
/31 (BBC7)
/11 (BBC7)
Ruth gets a job as 'Legal Eagle' on breakfast telly.

This leaves John Fuller-Carp desperate to make a bigger TV splash.

Clive Coleman's sitcom about the questionable practices of a group of barristers.

Ruth Quirke - Lesley Sharp

Matthew Hoadley - Robert Duncan

Trudy - Susie Brann

Sylvie - Jane Whittenshaw

Producer: Paul Schlesinger

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1996.

With his colleagues busy on the box, John Fuller-Carp wants to make a bigger TV splash.

0105The American1996051520120308/09 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
/07 (BBC7)
/18 (BBC7)
When star American lawyer Thurman Berkley arrives in chambers for a week, a culture clash seems inevitable.

But the stuffy John Fuller-Carp will do anything to win a case - even if it means adopting the rapping rhythms Thurman used so successfully in the OK Stimpson trial.

A run-of-the-mill GBH gets the full transatlantic treatment.

Clive Coleman's sitcom about the questionable practices of a group of barristers.

Ruth Quirke - Lesley Sharp

Thurman Berkley - David Harewood

Producer: Paul Schlesinger

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1996.

The arrival of a star US lawyer prompts stuffy John Fuller-Carp to copy his sharp tactics.

0201Only The Lonely1998051120120531 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
/22 (BBC7)
/12 (BBC7)
/07 (BBC7)
/25/7) (BBC7)
John Fuller-Carp uses his masculine charms when he finds himself in competition with rival Vernon Ames.

Meanwhile, Ruth is very broody...

Clive Coleman's sitcom set in perhaps the country's least spectacular law chambers.

Ruth Quirke - Sarah Lancashire

With:

Jeremy Clyde

Joanna Monro

Tracy-Ann Oberman

Producer: Paul Schlesinger

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1998.

John Fuller-Carp uses his masculine charms on a lady judge. Ruth decides to adopt a baby.

0202The Masons1998051820120607/08 (BBC7)
/29 (BBC7)
/19 (BBC7)
/14 (BBC7)
 (BBC7)
Turmoil abounds when barrister John Fuller-Carp decides becoming a Mason will improve his chances of winning cases.

Meanwhile, Ruth needs Hilary's support...

Clive Coleman's sitcom set in perhaps the country's least spectacular law chambers.

Ruth Quirke - Sarah Lancashire

With:

Sanjeev Bhaskar

Julie Teal

John Rowe.

Producer: Paul Schlesinger

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1998.

Turmoil abounds when barrister John Fuller-Carp tries to become a Mason.

0203The Phantom Barrister1998052520120614/15 (BBC7)
/05 (BBC7)
/26 (BBC7)
/21 (BBC7)
/7) (BBC7)
Fuller-Carp sets about recruiting new blood with a puzzling new worker - and Ruth's mum pays a visit.

Clive Coleman's sitcom set in perhaps the country's least spectacular law chambers.

Ruth Quirke - Sarah Lancashire

With:

Robert Bathurst

Susan Johnston

Chris Pavlo

Producer: Paul Schlesinger

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1998.

A new worker puzzles John Fuller-Carp, and Ruth's mum visits.

0204A Case With A View1998060120120621/22 (BBC7)
/12 (BBC7)
/02 (BBC7)
/28 (BBC7)
/7) (BBC7)
When barrister John Fuller-Carp's ambitions to become a QC take a downward turn, he takes extreme action.

Clive Coleman's sitcom about the questionable practices of a group of barristers.

With:

Jonathan Coy

Steven Emrys

Rachel Atkins

John Rowe

Chris Pavlo

Producer: Paul Schlesinger

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1998.

When barrister John Fuller-Carp's ambitions take a downward turn, he takes extreme action.

0205Conditional Fees1998060820120628/29 (BBC7)
/19 (BBC7)
/09 (BBC7)
/05 (BBC7)
/7) (BBC7)
John Fuller-Carp wants victory in a 'no win, no fee' case of a broken thumb involving a can of figs

Clive Coleman's sitcom set in perhaps the country's least spectacular law chambers.

Ruth Quirke - Sarah Lancashire

Philip James - Chris Pavlo

Shearing - Peter Gunn

Masterson - Geoffrey Whitehead

Producer: Paul Schlesinger

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1998.

Fuller-Carp wants victory in a 'no win, no fee' case of a broken thumb and a can of figs.

0301Rent Arrears1999030920121025/26 (BBC7)
/07 (BBC7)
/09 (BBC7)
/09 (BBC7)
/10/7) (BBC7)
John Fuller-Carp, head of chambers, enjoys conning students. Ruth tries to avoid the question, and Vince acts Jewish.

All in a day's work for the barristers of Forecourt Buildings.

The return of Clive Coleman's sitcom set in perhaps the country's least spectacular set of chambers.

Ruth Quirke - Sarah Lancashire

With:

Rebecca Front

Ben Crowe

Producer: Paul Schlesinger

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1999.

Ruth fakes a family for a client and John Fuller-Carp fiddles the books.

0302A Pain In The Back1999031620121101/02 (BBC7)
/14 (BBC7)
/16 (BBC7)
/16 (BBC7)
/7) (BBC7)
John Fuller-Carp becomes distracted by the allure of one of his clients.

Meanwhile Ruth is asked to babysit for a friend's electronic pet.

Clive Coleman's sitcom set in perhaps the country's least spectacular set of chambers.

Ruth Quirke - Sarah Lancashire

With:

Joanna Monro

Geoffrey Whitehead

Peter Gunn

Tilly Gaunt

Producer: Paul Schlesinger

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1999.

Fuller-Carp is distracted by an alluring client, and Ruth babysits an electronic pet.

0303Outward Bound1999032320121108/09 (BBC7)
/21 (BBC7)
/23 (BBC7)
/23 (BBC7)
/7) (BBC7)
A legal firm invites Fuller-Carp, Ruth and Hilary to take part in an outward-bound weekend - with disastrous results...

Clive Coleman's sitcom set in perhaps the country's least spectacular set of chambers.

Ruth Quirke - Sarah Lancashire

With:

Chris Pavlo

Simon Greenall

Tracy-Ann Oberman

Natalie Walker

Producer: Paul Schlesinger

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1999.

A legal firm invites John, Ruth and Hilary to a team-building exercise in the country.

0304It's Only Words1999033020121115/16 (BBC7)
/28 (BBC7)
/30 (BBC7)
/30 (BBC7)
/7) (BBC7)
John Fuller-Carp gets embroiled in a very costly bet with rival barrister Vernon Ames, while Ruth joins an exclusive dating agency.

Clive Coleman's sitcom set in perhaps the country's least spectacular set of chambers.

Ruth Quirke - Sarah Lancashire

With:

Jeremy Clyde

Simon Greenall

Ben Crowe

John Rowe

Emma Clarke

Producer: Paul Schlesinger

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1999.

John Fuller-Carp gets embroiled in a bet with a rival barrister.