Judge John Deed is an unusual British High Court judge. An idealistic lawyer from a working class background, Deed has gotten near to the top of his profession by his intellect, his charm, and an obsessive belief in justice. Judge Deed wants to uphold the law at all costs, and this leaves him at odds with a series of British government stooges who try to influence his decisions. Outside court, Deed is a womanizer who has an up-and-down relationship with fellow barrister Jo Mills.