1 9 7 2 – 1 9 8 4 (UK)
879 x 30 minute episodes
This lunchtime Granada Television Production brought viewers into the fictional Fulchester Crown Court to witness a court case dramatised over three half-hour episodes on consecutive days (usually Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays).
Each episode began with the court reporter (Peter Wheeler) explaining the details of the offence, or summarising the events so far, accompanied by photographs of the key individuals concerned.
The jury (consisting of actual members of the public who were eligible for jury duty) would then be presented with all of the evidence as if for a real trial, and their unscripted verdict decided how each story would conclude (alternative endings were written to cover either outcome).
As in a real court, the judge and the lawyers were not the same every week, although some characters recurred over the years, such as Jonathan Fry QC (Bernard Gallagher) and The Hon. Mr Justice Campbell (William Mervyn).
A number of the defendants and witnesses were played by actors who later achieved great fame, including Colin Firth, Ben Kingsley, Peter Capaldi and Bob Hoskins.
Court Reporter
Peter Wheeler
The Hon. Mr Justice Campbell
William Mervyn
Jonathan Fry QC
Bernard Gallagher
Andrew Logan QC
Bernard Brown
Dr Germaine Elwes
Sheila Burrell
