The program had started out as a pilot episode, recorded in early 1984 with the actor Chris Haywood in the lead role.
When the pilot episode was remounted later in 1984, Chris Haywood wasn't available and the lead role was re-cast to John Wood.
[7] Michael Aloysius Rafferty, who is a stipendiary magistrate, drives to work in an old blue VW Kombi van.
Rafferty also has an older daughter, Rebecca Browning, who is in her early twenties—and of whose existence he was unaware until she contacted him after she had grown up.
[9] The series is based at a Magistrates' Court in Manly (a Sydney beachside suburb), over which Rafferty presided.