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

Do you need a “lawyer’s accent”? Should you take a training contract if your dream is the Bar? And how do you know which legal career is right for you?
This week, John and Hayley challenge some of the career advice they heard as students, discuss regional accents and unconscious bias, and answer a criminal defence paralegal’s question about qualifying as a solicitor before moving to the Bar.
John shares his experience of that route, including the importance of opportunities to develop advocacy experience. Hayley explains why she changed her mind about becoming a barrister—and why the solicitor route can be a first choice in its own right.
Explore the Legal Skills Academy:
https://speedmooting.com/legal-skills-academy
Send your questions to info@speedmooting.com and follow Partners in Crime for new episodes every Friday.

How do you land a paralegal role straight after your law degree? 🎓⚖️
In this episode of Conversations with Counsel, John is joined by Hannah Jackson, a recent LLB graduate, one of our inaugural Speed Mooting Ambassadors, and now a paralegal in civil litigation.
Hannah explains what a paralegal actually does, walks through her application process from paper application to final interview, and shares the experience that helped her stand out, from volunteering with the Witness Service to sitting on her university’s Bar Society committee and even working as a lifeguard. She also gives her top tips for interviews, an honest picture of how competitive paralegal roles are, and how students in any year can start building the skills employers want.
Plus, Hannah reflects on her year as a Speed Mooting Ambassador, why our competitions suit first-years, and of course, the all-important quickfire round. Do crisps belong on a sandwich?
Subscribe : New episodes of Conversations with Counsel every third Monday.

This week, Hayley and John tackle a listener’s question: a lawyer told them to “avoid AI at all costs.” Is that good advice? They talk through where AI can genuinely help in legal practice, from proofreading to chronologies and reports on title, where it can land you in hot water, and why you should never cite a case you haven’t read.
They also discuss what actually makes someone ready to start practising (spoiler: you’ll never fully feel ready), how technology has changed the profession over the years, whether AI will take jobs, and finally settle the great holiday debate: Tenerife or Texas?
Got a question for Ask Speed Squad? Send it in:
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New episodes every Friday.

Is mooting still useful if you don’t want to become a barrister? And what’s the most underrated transferable skill in law?
In episode 134, the Shaquille O’Neal Episode, John and Hayley discuss why mooting benefits aspiring solicitors too, how retail and hospitality experience can make you a better lawyer, and why clear communication matters when advising clients.
They also share practical tips for networking on LinkedIn, explain why generic messages often miss the mark, and give an honest update on pregnancy and the struggle to find maternity clothes!
Explore our competitions, Legal Skills Academy and free resources at speedmooting.com.
Have a question for a future episode? Email info@speedmooting.com.

Thinking about taking the Bar Training Course? Where do you start, and what should you be doing now to prepare for pupillage?
Recorded at the Northern Pupillage Fair 2026, this session features Laura Scott, Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University and door tenant at 7 Harrington Street.
Laura breaks down the key steps to getting onto the Bar Training Course, from applications and entry requirements to choosing an Inn of Court, securing scholarships and exploring funding options.
She also shares practical advice on preparing for Bar training, building your CV, securing mini-pupillages and marshalling opportunities, gaining advocacy experience and approaching Pupillage Gateway applications.
Drawing on her own journey into the legal profession as a first-generation university student, Laura offers accessible, practical guidance for anyone considering a career at the Bar.
Part of Speed Mooting's Northern Pupillage Fair 2026 series.
Find out more about Speed Mooting at https://speedmooting.com