Justice

Justice centers on Harriet Peterson, a capable female barrister in the North of England, as she handles challenging courtroom cases. The drama combines legal battles with personal and ethical questions, grounded in regional life and the realities of practicing law. Across 39 hour-long episodes that aired on ITV between 1971 and 1974, the series builds tension through courtroom strategy and moral dilemmas rather than sensational twists. John Stone appears as Dr. Ian Moody alongside Margaret Lockwood, who anchors the show as Harriet. The theme music is William Walton's Crown Imperial, and it was produced by Yorkshire Television, inspired by a 1969 ITV Playhouse episode Justice Is a Woman, though reworked for a weekly format.

Produced by Yorkshire Television, Justice was created by James Mitchell, Edmund Ward and John Malcolm. It aired on ITV from 8 August 1971 to 16 October 1974, and ran 39 hour-long episodes led by Margaret Lockwood. With a clear procedural backbone and growing character arcs, it offered a steady rhythm.

As an early example of a prestige regional drama led by a female barrister, the show offered a distinct voice in 1970s British television. While not widely cited in pop culture today, it stands as a notable attempt to bring legal drama and regional life together.

Critically, the series was noted for steady performances and its focus on justice as a professional and ethical matter. Central themes include gender and power in the legal world, regional identity, and the moral complexities faced by a practitioner balancing duty with personal costs.

There's no widely documented record of major awards for Justice, reflecting its status as a solid regional drama rather than a breakout awards contender. The production is nonetheless valued by fans and historians for its portrayal of a woman in a senior legal role during the era.