Thomas-James Fisher

Peter Kingdom runs his law practice in the small East Anglian town of Market Shipborough, aided by efficient secretary Gloria and a young trainee from London, Lyle. Whilst managing to avoid grumpy Mrs. Thing, he is continually visited by local Sidney Snell, who is constantly battling the local council. Peter's somewhat dodgy younger brother Simon disappeared some time ago.

Peter is hired by an Estonian woman, Aeste, who claims that grumpy local farmer Jack Thriplow has 'kidnapped' her child, of whom he claims to be the father. Further investigation uncovers the use of illegal labour. Meanwhile a nervous Lyle is entered for the annual dyke-leaping contest. And the less than civil Mr. Hill is snooping around, telling Peter that brother Simon was deeply in debt.

Mr. and Mrs. Forshaw engage Peter in a case of discrimination when their daughter Laura is refused a place at Cambridge, bringing him into contact with his former tutor Professor Barkway. Gloria fails to show up for work, a squirrel gets into the attic, Beatrice is pining for Alan, and of course there's Sidney Snell, with his cunning plan to stop the gas company building on grazing land.

Whilst Peter helps soldier Tony Gillespie, who lost a leg in Iraq, get decent compensation, Lyle acts for Tony's girlfriend Kate, who files a case of sexual discrimination when Tony's regiment turn down her application to enlist. Lyle suspects a revenge motive. Gloria's senile father, ex-lock keeper Cyril, gets into an ongoing war with a mother and son on a barge holiday.

Peter is occupied with Simon's trial when Beatrice returns home with her new baby daughter. Lyle is set to make his theater debut at Aunt Auriel's home, but a terrible storm interrupts the production.