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

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.

What does an expert witness actually do, and what should junior lawyers know about working with one?
John Dove is joined by Joanne Lowe, Expert Witness Service Lead at Harrison Associates and an occupational therapist with 30 years of experience, for a fascinating look inside the world of medico-legal expert evidence.
Joanne explains the role occupational therapists play in personal injury and clinical negligence litigation, what goes into a quantum report, how claimant and defendant experts approach their work, and what happens when experts meet to identify areas of agreement and disagreement.
They also discuss the importance of expert independence, what solicitors and barristers should consider when selecting an expert witness, common mistakes made by new experts and how technology and AI could shape the future of expert evidence.
A particularly useful episode for law students, aspiring barristers, trainee solicitors and junior lawyers looking to understand how expert evidence works in practice

Do you need the right accent, background or connections to succeed in law?
In Episode 126 of the Speed Mooting: Partners in Crime Podcast, John and Hayley look back at the things they worried about as law students, from having a Scouse accent and coming from a state-school background to entering the legal profession without family connections, and explain why those concerns mattered far less than they expected.
They also answer listener questions on moving from conveyancing into litigation, transferable legal skills and changing practice areas.
Finally, John gives an insight into life as a criminal barrister, explaining the difference between legal aid and privately funded work, how funding affects a barrister’s caseload and the realities of managing income, tax and VAT at the self-employed Bar.
An episode packed with practical legal career advice for law students, aspiring barristers, aspiring solicitors and anyone trying to break into the legal profession.

How do you make the most of a pupillage fair?
In Episode 125 of Speed Mooting: Partners in Crime, John and Hayley share their practical advice for law students and aspiring barristers attending pupillage and law fairs.
We discuss how to research chambers before the event, what to say when approaching exhibitors, questions worth asking, making a good impression, taking useful notes and following up with new connections afterwards.
With the Northern Pupillage Fair 2026 just around the corner, we also explain how to get the most from the day and why these events can be valuable when preparing for future pupillage applications.
Plus, we answer your advocacy questions: what makes a well-presented case, and what makes a good advocate?
A practical episode for law students, Bar students, aspiring barristers and anyone looking to develop their advocacy skills and build a career in law.