When a trawler sinks off the coast of North Yorkshire, taking the lives of five people, an enquiry establishes that the boat was in disrepair. Kavanagh is on the team prosecuting the boat owner and father of one of the victims, charged with five counts of manslaughter. He must counter the owner's defence that a Royal Navy submarine surfaced near the trawler and capsized her.
Kavanagh defends a doctor accused of murdering his wife. Although the prosecution has several witnesses who provide evidence, the accused maintains his innocence. After the verdict, however, Kavanagh learns of an ironic twist.