Speed Mooting Podcast - Training tomorrow's lawyers, today!

If you could change one thing about the route to becoming a lawyer, what would it be?
In Episode 130, John and Hayley discuss what they would change about qualifying for the legal profession if they were given the power to redesign the process.
They explore the financial cost of qualification, whether postgraduate training should be linked more closely to securing pupillage or a training contract, the possibility of greater flexibility during pupillage, and the move from the LPC to the SQE.
We then turn to your questions, including what advice we would give to someone applying for pupillage or a training contract for the first time, dealing with rejection during application season, and what aspiring lawyers can do to strengthen their applications.
Finally, John shares his experience of staying calm when something unexpected happens in court, including why preparation, managing client expectations and experience are so important when things don't quite go to plan.
A useful listen for aspiring barristers, future solicitors, law students and anyone currently navigating the route into the legal profession.

In this episode of Speed Mooting: Conversations with Counsel, John Dove is joined by Charlie Hayward, Senior Crown Prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service.
Charlie takes us through his journey into law, from becoming part of one of the country's first solicitor apprenticeship programmes to qualifying as a solicitor and ultimately moving into criminal advocacy with the CPS.
They discuss what life as a Senior Crown Prosecutor actually involves, the realities of courtroom advocacy, evidence-in-chief and cross-examination, working with witnesses, making difficult charging decisions and the responsibility that comes with prosecuting criminal cases.
Charlie also shares his advice for aspiring lawyers, including the importance of getting into court, learning by watching other advocates, saying yes to opportunities and pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone.
If you're considering a solicitor apprenticeship, training contract, pupillage or a career in criminal law, there's plenty to take away from this conversation.
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Would you rather forget your authorities or call the judge by the wrong title? And would you prefer a nightmare client or a nightmare opponent?
This week, John and Hayley play Would You Rather: Advocate Edition, tackling some of the awkward situations advocates can find themselves facing in court.
What starts as a bit of fun soon leads to a very honest discussion about life in legal practice, as John shares his experiences of dealing with difficult opponents and explains why sometimes the best thing you can do is stop arguing and take the issue before the judge. 
They also answer your questions, including how to build the confidence to approach lawyers at networking eventsand if someone hoping to become a criminal barrister should study straight Law or Law with Criminology.
Plus, John and Hayley share a message from a former Speed Mooting competitor who has recently secured pupillage and credited the experience with helping to rebuild their confidence as an advocate.
Expect practical advice, courtroom stories, networking disasters and, inevitably, a John Dove rant.
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How do experienced advocates deal with nerves? How much of good advocacy is preparation versus thinking on your feet? And what keeps you going when your legal career isn't progressing the way you'd hoped?
In Episode 128, John and Hayley answer more questions from the Speed Mooting community. John shares his advice for managing nerves before court and public speaking, explains the different purposes of opening and closing speeches, and discusses why preparation is at the heart of successful advocacy. 
They also reflect on their own experiences of rejection while trying to qualify, including unsuccessful training contract and pupillage applications, frustrating feedback, and the moments when they both considered taking their careers in a completely different direction.

Are you overlooking some of your most valuable experience when applying for opportunities in law?
In Episode 127, John and Hayley look at how experiences such as working in retail and observing in court can give aspiring lawyers a wealth of transferable skills to discuss in applications and interviews.
They also answer a question from a Year 12 student about how to stand out when applying to study law at university, before turning to advocacy and discussing how barristers stay calm when things don’t go to plan in court.
John shares a real example from practice where a judge immediately rejected part of his sentencing argument and explains how experience helps advocates adapt, pivot and approach the case from a different angle.