Speed Mooting - Training tomorrow's lawyers, today!

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 experie...

In this webinar, Hayley Dove shares her journey into commercial law — from a working-class background in Liverpool to qualifying as a commercial property litigation solicitor and becoming Legal Director at Speed Mooting. She breaks down what commercial law really looks like in practice, how commercial solicitors and barristers work together, and the realities of billable hours, career progression,...

In Episode 97 of the Speed Mooting: Partners in Crime Podcast, John and Hayley focus on interview preparation for aspiring solicitors and barristers. They share practical advice on how to prepare effectively for legal interviews, including researching firms and chambers, avoiding common mistakes, managing nerves, and asking strong questions at interview. The episode also features Ask Speed Squad,...

In Episode 96, Hayley and John take on  comparison culture  — the pressure of seeing everyone else’s legal career “wins” online while feeling like you’re standing still. With pupillage interview season approaching, they share honest reflections on delayed routes into practice, the reality behind social media success stories, and why not getting everything first time around is completely normal. Dr...

What does intellectual property law really involve and what’s it like to build your own firm from scratch? Speed Mooting Presents: Conversations with Counsel  welcomes IP specialist  Tom Broster , founding partner of Asenda Law, for an in-person conversation about intellectual property, advocacy, and building a legal career on your own terms. Tom explains what IP law actually covers, reflects on h...

Episode 95 of the  Speed Mooting Podcast is an audio-only special as John recovers from eye surgery - but the conversation is as lively as ever. John and Hayley kick things off by naming the episode after  Lightning McQueen (95)  and  Logan Paul , before diving into wrestling, Netflix’s  Unreal , and Jelly Roll’s inspiring fitness journey. They then share a packed update on what Speed Mooting has...

Episode 94  of the  Speed Mooting Partners in Crime Podcast  tackles a question many aspiring and junior lawyers are asking:  do you really need social media to build a legal career? John and Hayley discuss the pros and cons of using platforms like LinkedIn, the rise of legal influencers, and how social media can be used for networking, learning, and building a professional profile - while also st...

As the new year begins, we take a moment to reflect on goal-setting, resolutions, and how to approach a new year in law without putting unnecessary pressure on yourself. We then move into our  #AskSpeedSquad  segment, answering questions sent in by listeners. We start by discussing the solicitor-to-barrister route, including why people consider making the switch, what to think about before taking...

Welcome to Episode 92 of Speed Mooting Presents: Partners in Crime, our first episode of 2026.In this episode, John and Hayley look ahead to what’s coming up at Speed Mooting in the new year, starting with a packed January of free events, advocacy training and skills-based opportunities for aspiring and junior lawyers. Affectionately titled The Joe Keery Special (after Joe Keery, aka Steve Harring...

  🎄 Episode 91 – Christmas Special & Ask Speed Squad (Part 2) Welcome to a festive Christmas & Boxing Day special of the Speed Mooting Podcast. In Episode 91, John and Hayley combine seasonal chaos, career insight, and listener questions in a wide-ranging and honest discussion that’s perfect listening for aspiring and junior lawyers over the holidays. After the festive warm-up, the episod...

In Episode 90 of the Speed Mooting Podcast, John and Hayley bring you a festive Ask Speed Squad special, answering listener questions following their hugely popular Life at the Bar webinar. With over 100 audience questions submitted, this episode dives into some of the most important (and honest) conversations about legal careers - whether you’re aspiring to the Bar, training as a solicitor, or si...

John and Hayley return for Episode 89 with a festive Christmas special featuring jumpers, Only Fools and Horses nostalgia, and even a Formula One cameo before diving into two major topics for aspiring and junior lawyers. First, they announce the launch of the  Commercial Awareness Club , explaining what commercial awareness really means, why firms test it in interviews, and how the Autumn Budget 2...

Welcome back to Episode 88 of the Speed Mooting Partners in Crime Podcast! This week, John and Hayley dive deep into the future of legal careers - how the profession is shifting, and what aspiring solicitors and barristers need to prepare for. We break down the major changes happening right now:🔹 The rise of technology and AI in everyday practice🔹 Remote and hybrid hearings becoming increasingly...

In this episode, we break down the  most common mistakes aspiring lawyers make  - and how to avoid them. If you're pursuing pupillage, a training contract, or still navigating law school, these insights will help you stay focused, intentional, and ahead of the curve. We explore why so many future barristers and solicitors fall into the same traps, how to turn setbacks into powerful learning mo...

In this episode,  John and Hayley  reflect on the recently released  Caroline Flack documentary  to explore how criminal prosecutions work. They discuss the sensitive subject of  assault by beating , and outline the  two‑stage test  used by the  Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)  to decide whether cases proceed to trial. They also answer listener questions in our popular # AskSpeedSquad  segment 👉...

In this mini-catch-up episode, John and Hayley are filling you in on everything they've been up to over the past few weeks - from the buzz of the Liverpool Law Society Legal Awards to the newest developments in Speed Mooting. It’s a short and sweet check in while the team settles back in after their honeymoon, but don’t worry, they will be back next week with a full, feature-length episode!

In this episode, hosts John and Hayley share their Junior Lawyer’s Survival Guide — packed with honest, practical advice for anyone starting out in law. They discuss how to make the most of your training period, handle mistakes with professionalism, and build meaningful connections in your firm. Expect real insight, relatable stories, and a few laughs along the way as they break down what it reall...

In this episode of the Speed Mooting: Partners in Crime Podcast, hosts John and Hayley dive into the real differences between barristers and solicitors - from their daily routines and client interactions to how they juggle flexibility, teamwork, and the ever-growing pile of meetings that define legal life. They also lift the lid on what  really  goes on behind the scenes in law firms, how to manag...

💍  Newlyweds, Networking & Navigating the Law!  ⚖️ In this episode John and Hayley are back - this time as newlyweds! They share some wedding highlights before diving into the power of building your  personal brand online and how smart networking can open doors in the legal world. They also break down a  major case on litigation rights  making headlines, and tackle a listener’s question on ho...

In this episode of  Speed Mooting: Partners in Crime , John and Hayley take a look back at their journey across 81 episodes — from early beginnings to building a growing community of aspiring lawyers. They dive into the latest Formula One updates, answer listener questions on advocacy skills and legal career paths, and unpack some of the biggest misconceptions about different areas of law. Along t...

In this special episode of  Speed Mooting Presents: Partners in Crime , hosts  John and Hayley  are celebrating a huge milestone — their wedding day! 🎉 Amid the festivities, they tackle some serious legal issues, diving into the  Crown Court backlog , which has now surged past  80,000 cases . Listeners take centre stage in an  ‘Ask Speed Squad Special’ , where John and Hayley answer your burning...

In this week’s episode we take a closer look at the recent Mazur Judgment, unpacking what it means and why it matters. We also discuss the SQE exam blunder that’s been making headlines, considering how it has affected students and what lessons might be learned for the future. Finally, we answer listener questions about how to make the most of a mini pupillage or vacation scheme, sharing practical...

We’re in a new studio this week (hello from the PodCafé, Liverpool) and kicking off the new academic year with practical advice for aspiring barristers and solicitors. We explain what Speed Mooting actually does- four advocacy competitions a year (two in-person speed moots, two online submissions) and an Advocacy Club that meets twice a month for low-pressure practice - plus the free Q&As and...

After a short break, John and Hayley are back on the  Speed Mooting Partners in Crime Podcast ! In this episode, they unveil the brand-new Ambassador Programme and look ahead to the Northern Pupillage Fair. Between juggling wedding planning and a packed schedule, they share practical tips for making the most of the fair - covering everything from smart networking to strong presentation skills. The...

In this episode, John and Hayley discuss various aspects of the legal profession, including the importance of mooting and pro bono work, essential soft skills for lawyers, effective networking strategies, and recommended resources for aspiring lawyers. They also discuss their Community Hub, a free online legal community for students and junior lawyers, and highlight upcoming events.