In this episode of the Speed Mooting: Partners in Crime Podcast, John answers listener questions in another “Ask Speed Mooting” special, covering key topics for aspiring lawyers and law students. 

From common advocacy mistakes and how to improve your skills, to practical advice on building experience outside of mooting, this episode offers clear and honest guidance for anyone looking to develop as an advocate.

John also shares insights from his own journey from solicitor to barrister, discusses the realities of working in the profession, and explains whether your choice of Inn of Court really matters.

If you’re looking to build confidence, improve your advocacy, and better understand the legal profession, this episode is a great place to start.

In this episode, John Dove unpacks the viral question:
“How do lawyers defend clients they know are guilty?”

Following a TikTok clip that reached over 1 million views, John responds to common misconceptions and explains the reality of criminal defence practice.

He covers:

• The meaning of professional embarrassment
• Why lawyers cannot lie or mislead the court
• How defence lawyers can still act by challenging evidence
• The role of legal privilege and confidentiality
• Whether defence strategies change based on who pays
• The impact of not giving evidence
• How guilty pleas and sentencing discounts work

A clear, practical breakdown of how ethics, advocacy, and the justice system intersect in real life.

Episode 105, the Bortoletto & Vettel special , is all about spring cleaning your CV 🌱

With pupillage and application season approaching, we share practical tips on how to get your CV into top shape - from keeping it up to date and cutting the waffle, to formatting, proofreading, and making a strong first impression.

We also cover:

• How to start advocacy with zero experience
• The roles that best prepare you for a legal career
• Book recommendations (and a few unexpected takes…)

A mix of practical advice, real experiences, and light-hearted discussion, exactly what you’d expect from Speed Mooting.

If you’ve got a question, drop us a message or email [email protected]

Don't forget to like and subscribe!

This episode introduces the Legal Skills Academy — a new, structured programme designed to help aspiring lawyers develop core legal skills with real progression and recognition.

We explain:

• Why we created the Legal Skills Academy
• How it brings together advocacy, public speaking, debating, and commercial awareness
• What makes it different from traditional legal training
• How it helps you build evidence-backed skills for applications and practice

We also touch on:

• Our 2-year podcast milestone
• Insights from our recent viral legal discussion
• Listener questions on standing out in a competitive legal market

🎯 If you're serious about developing as a future lawyer, this episode is essential listening.

📩 Questions? Email [email protected] or connect with us on social media.

Another Ask Speed Squad episode, answering your biggest questions on advocacy and breaking into the profession.

We cover:

• What to do if you don’t get pupillage

• How to become a great advocate

• Networking without feeling awkward

• And who would actually make the better judge

Practical advice, honest insights, and a few laughs along the way.

Don't forget to please rate and subscribe!

In this episode, John and Hayley answer questions from the Speed Mooting community about becoming a barrister, building the perfect advocacy CV, and what makes a truly great litigator. They discuss:1. Whether qualifying as a solicitor first is a good route to the bar2. The experiences that should appear on a top advocacy CV3. The difference between a good and great litigator4. How law students can build contacts and experience from scratchIf you're a law student, aspiring barrister, or junior lawyer, this episode is packed with practical advice and insight.Get involvedSend your questions to the podcast:📧 [email protected]📱 DM Speed Mooting or the hosts on social mediaDon’t forget to like, rate, and subscribe for more conversations about advocacy, legal careers, and life at the bar. Find out how we can help you with your legal career over at https://speedmooting.com/

In Episode 101 of the Partners in Crime Podcast, John and Hayley discuss why non-legal work experience can be one of the biggest advantages when starting a legal career.We also answer audience questions about:- How to build a professional reputation early in your legal career- The importance of providing excellent service to clients and solicitors- Whether advocacy can be taught or if it’s a natural skill; and- Practical ways to manage nerves before speaking or performing advocacyAlong the way, we share personal stories from our own careers, from working in retail and hospitality while studying law, to building specialist practices and learning advocacy skills over time. If you're a law student, aspiring barrister, trainee solicitor, or junior lawyer, this episode is packed with practical insight into the skills that really matter in the profession.👍 If you enjoy the episode, make sure to like, comment and subscribe for more legal career advice and advocacy insights.🌐 To learn more about what we do, visit: https://speedmooting.com#legalcareers #lawstudents #barristers #trainingcontract #advocacy #lawpodcast #speedmooting

In this episode of the Speed Mooting Podcast, we have a Conversations with Counsel special. With John Dove speaking to specialist costs barrister Darren Malone of 18 St John Street Chambers about his unconventional journey to the Bar.

We discuss becoming a barrister later in your career, securing BSB exemption, working as a costs advocate, detailed assessments, costs case management conferences (CCMCs), reported costs cases, and the importance of commercial awareness in legal practice.

If you’re an aspiring barrister, law student, or junior lawyer interested in advocacy, costs law, or non-traditional routes to the Bar, this episode offers practical insight and honest career advice.

100 episodes ago… we had no studio and no clue, but we had an idea and pressed record without knowing what would come next.In this milestone episode, Hayley and John look back at how a small side project turned into a legal community creating real opportunities for aspiring barristers and solicitors, from running four structured competitions a year to launching initiatives like the Northern Pupilage Fair.They share the turning points that changed everything, the early technical disasters, and the mindset shifts that helped them push through imposter syndrome and self-doubt.You’ll hear a sharp breakdown of mooting vs mock trials, why advocacy confidence is built (not born), and why feeling nervous is often the biggest sign you’re levelling up.If you’re a law student, aspiring barrister, or lawyer trying to find your footing; this episode is proof that you don’t need to start polished. You just need to start.100 episodes. Still building. Still opening doors.👉 If you’re serious about building confidence and breaking into the legal profession, hit subscribe and join the community.

Episode 99 dives into the civil litigation process from start to finish, with a practical breakdown of pre-action protocols, issuing claims, track allocation, case management, settlement pressure, trial, and cost recovery .

We also answer listener questions on:

• Judicial intervention in moots

• Moving away from scripts

• Handling impromptu advocacy

• Defending a client who admits guilt

  
  

Real advice. Real courtroom insight. One episode away from triple figures.

🍦