Solicitors Lotus, Spackman & Phelps (of Hounslow High Street) is staffed an almost completely by inept, but nevertheless enthusiastic and well-meaning team. Headed up by partners Colin Lotus (a young man, hopeless in law but transferred his late father's partnership), Dick Spackman (who again, isn't especially knowledgable with legal matters - but loves sailing and sherry), and Stella Phelps (reasonably talented, but especially prone to mood-swings), the business also comprises office manager Bob (hopelessly in love with Sarah, the delivery girl from the Mr Bappy sandwich bar downstairs), general dogsbody Darren, and the unbelievably lazy and useless secretary Alison ("You're only here because your boyfriend is an estate agent and puts a lot of work our way!").