Review for Justice: The Complete Series 3

‘Justice’ was a weekly hour long courtroom drama that aired in the UK from 1971 to 1974, spanning three 13 episode seasons. It was really a vehicle for Margaret Lockwood, arguably one of Britain’s greatest film stars (known for her trademark beauty spot), by then in her twilight years, playing a very sharp female barrister, Harriet Peterson.


She is ably supported with a fine cast and some really rather excellent scripts. Despite being very wordy (this is legal drama after all) there is a huge variety of human interest played out among the cases including unflinching cases of murder, rape and corporate neglect. Made by the same team from Yorkshire Television who made ‘The Main Chance’ it certainly has a similar vibe.


Series 3 introduces a charming but highly ambitious young barrister James Eliot – played by Anthony Valentine and also includes guest appearances by Anton Rodgers, Barbara Shelley and future Gentle Touch lead Jill Gascoine, among others. You can even spot Geoffrey Bayldon (Catweazle) playing a doctor in the first episode of the series.


As the cases unfold, so too does Harriet’s personal back story. We learn that she was, at one time, married to a criminal but she currently has a suave older G.P.(played by John Stone) as her main squeeze. Indeed, his troubles get interwoven into several of the stories here, bringing some continuity between episodes despite them being immensely watchable individually.


‘Justice Series 3’ will undoubtedly be a pleasing release to anyone who has already bought Series 1 and 2. As this is the third and final season of this little seen show that will allow them to complete the set and finally re-watch the series in its entirety. For those like me who have never seen the show before, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable first time watch – perhaps a bit dated for some, but more intriguing as a result for many others.


It’s certainly of its time with the dour, computer-free offices of the seventies filled with plumes of smoke and lawyers downing their drinks before taking to the road. Lockwood is, for the most part, pretty mesmerising. She occasionally moves beyond ‘confident’ to something dangerously approaching ‘smug’ but for the most part comes across as a formidable, compassionate and highly intellectual lady in a man’s world.


Shot mainly on video (with a few exteriors shot on 16mm as was the way back in the day) this is probably as good a copy as you are ever likely to see. There would be absolutely nothing to gain in a Blu-Ray release.


Here’s a list of Series 3 episodes and their original release dates:

Episode 1: Trial for Murder 17 May 1974
Episode 2: The Price of Innocence 24 May 1974
Episode 3: Duty of Care 31 May 1974
Episode 4: Growing Up 7 June 1974
Episode 5: The Very Fine Line of Duty 21 June 1974
Episode 6: It's Always a Gamble 28 June 1974
Episode 7: Matrimonial Malice 5 July 1974
Episode 8: Persona Non Grata 12 July 1974
Episode 9: Twice the Legal Limit 19 July 1974
Episode 10: Under Suspicion 26 July 1974
Episode 11: Decisions, Decisions 2 August 1974
Episode 12: Point of Death 9 August 1974
Episode 13: Collision Course 16 August 1974