Doesn't Sound Right

How do you come to feel like you belong in UK law when you don’t sound like anyone else in the room? In this episode of Doesn’t Sound Right , Matt and Denise speak to criminal barrister John Dove and commercial solicitor–turned–legal educator Hayley Crombleholme . Now engaged and co-founders of the online advocacy initiative Speed Mooting , they share their journeys into the legal profession. From...

There's an old scouse saying: "If you can't change it, take pride in it". Does the same apply to accents in the legal profession? Yes, according to leading international barrister Cherie Blair. She set up the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, has represented clients at the highest levels internationally in human rights law, and wrote an aptly-named memoir, Speaking For Myself. C...

“You belong here. Slow down. You’ve got this.” That simple but powerful advice from a legal opponent helped criminal barrister James Bruce deliver the most impactful cross-examination of his career—in a murder trial, no less. In this episode of Doesn’t Sound Right , Matt and Denise speak with James Bruce of The 36 Group, a criminal law practitioner from Lancashire. James shares how confidence, voc...

What does it really mean when aspiring barristers and lawyers are told to "just be yourself"? Can you stay true to your accent while mastering courtroom advocacy and professional communication in law? In this episode of Doesn't Sound Right , Matt and Denise are joined by Chris Kessling, a barrister with over 20 years' experience at the criminal Bar and a trainer at the Inns of Co...

Do some accents sound "guiltier" than others? Can the way you speak impact your career in law? And why do some lawyers feel their accent holds them back in pupillage applications and beyond? In this episode of Doesn't Sound Right , Matt and Denise are joined by linguistics experts Professor Natalie Braber (Nottingham Trent University) and Professor Rob Drummond (Manchester Metropolit...

Why do regional accents seem so rare in the British legal profession? In this episode of Doesn't Sound Right , hosts Matt and Denise explore the challenges and biases surrounding accents in UK law with solicitor Carly Thorpe, a partner at Leeds-based firm Walker Morris. Carly shares her experiences navigating law school and the legal industry with a strong Yorkshire accent—from awkward stereotypes...

Does your accent influence your success in the British legal profession? In this episode of Doesn't Sound Right, Matt and Denise explore the relationship between accents, career progression, and social mobility in the UK legal world. They’re joined by Richard Glover, a Partner at JMW Solicitors in Manchester, who shares his personal journey. Richard reflects on embracing his Stoke accent while nav...

Should regional accents have legal protection in the UK? Mary Prior KC, chair of the Criminal Bar Association and one of Britain’s top criminal barristers, makes a compelling case in this episode of Doesn't Sound Right . Mary shares how her working-class roots in Stoke influenced her career and reflects on how she secured pupillage and succeeded at the Bar, where accents like hers were rare. She h...

Coming soon... Why is it that in the UK legal world, regional accents seem relatively hard to come by? Do we still live in an age where lawyers with accents are told: "that doesn't sound right"? Doesn't Sound Right celebrates accent diversity and champions the regional accent. Through candid conversations with leading lawyers - including solicitors, barristers and other legal professionals - we ex...