The Dock Brief (play)

The Dock Brief is a one-act play written by English playwright John Mortimer. It was originally written for radio and broadcast by the BBC in 1957, and later adapted for the stage and television.

The play centers around Morgenhall, an elderly, incompetent barrister who has never won a case. He is assigned to defend Herbert Fowle, a seemingly ordinary man accused of murdering his wife. Morgenhall sees this case as his opportunity to finally prove himself, pouring all his energy into preparing Fowle for trial.

The core of the play revolves around the interactions between Morgenhall and Fowle in the prison dock (hence the title). Morgenhall, despite his ineptitude, attempts to coach Fowle on how to act in court, often leading to humorous and ultimately tragic exchanges. He constructs elaborate defense scenarios, fueled by his own delusions of grandeur, rather than dealing with the facts of the case.

The play explores themes of legal incompetence, the desperation for validation, the relationship between lawyer and client, and the often absurd nature of the justice system. The humor is often dark, as it underscores the gravity of Fowle's situation and Morgenhall's inability to provide adequate representation. The play's conclusion reveals a stark reality, highlighting the potential consequences of a flawed legal defense. The Dock Brief is considered a classic of its genre and has been performed and adapted numerous times.