Rumpole of the Bailey

The programme “Rumpole and the Bubble Reputation” follows a prim barrister who takes on a libel action brought by a puritanical novelist against a notorious tabloid. The story centres on courtroom proceedings of the case, and the episode includes Leo McKern.

Rumpole and the Bubble Reputation is a self‑contained episode presented as a programme. It falls squarely within the episode genre, offering a compact narrative that can be enjoyed in a single sitting. The story centres on a rather formal barrister who is tasked with defending a libel action. The claim has been lodged by a novelist whose outlook is decidedly puritanical, and the case is aimed at a notorious tabloid that has published the material in question. The barrister’s role is to protect the writer’s reputation while navigating the legal intricacies of defamation law. The episode unfolds almost entirely within the courtroom, turning the legal proceedings into the primary vehicle for drama. Every exchange between counsel, witness and judge contributes to a tightly woven depiction of a high‑stakes libel battle, highlighting the clash between moral rigidity and sensational journalism. Leo McKern appears in the production, adding his presence to the courtroom tableau. His involvement reinforces the procedural atmosphere and rounds out the cast of characters who populate this legal confrontation.