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

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.

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We’re two episodes away from 100, and this week we’re answering your questions in a relaxed Ask Speed Squad special.

We discuss how to improve vocabulary recall in public speaking, the biggest mistakes we see in training contract and pupillage applications, and how to properly sell yourself without underselling your strengths. We talk about standing out early in your legal career, building experience before qualification, and why commercial awareness is about analysis and impact, not simply knowing the headlines.

There’s also a conversation about advocacy practice, volunteering, Speakers Club, and the small but costly errors that can undermine an otherwise strong application. And, as always, we find time for some off-topic moments, including a mooting story from a Primark interview and an unexpected Sunday lunch at the Inns of Court.

If you’re an aspiring solicitor or barrister, this episode is full of practical insight and honest advice about breaking into the profession.

If you enjoyed it, follow the podcast, leave a rating, and send in your questions for a future Ask Speed Squad episode.