Speed Mooting - Training tomorrow's lawyers, today!

In this episode of the  Speed Mooting: Partners in Crime  podcast, we dive into an exciting season ahead for aspiring advocates. We look forward to the  National Speed Mooting Competition Autumn Cup 2025 , share insights from the latest  Advocacy Club sessions , and preview the upcoming  Northern Pupillage Fair  taking place on  27th September at the Liner Hotel in Liverpool . Whether you’re prepa...

Just a quick hello from John and Hayley!  🎙️ This week’s full   Partners in Crime episode will be out a couple of days later than usual. We’ve only just made it back from Texas, and Hayley is heading straight off on her hen do! Thanks for bearing with us - we’ll be back very soon with the usual mix of law, laughs, and listener questions.

In this episode, we dive into the art of crafting an impactful closing speech at trial. We discussed how to bring the case together, leave a lasting impression on the judge or jury, and avoid common pitfalls. We also share some highlights from our holiday in San Antonio, Texas 🌵, and reflect on the fascinating differences between advocacy in the US and the UK. As always, we answer listener questi...

This week criminal barrister, John Dove and commercial solicitor, Hayley Crombleholme take you behind the scenes on their current trip to Texas, and lawyers do look a little different in Cowboy Country! They also dive into your listener questions, considering what is their favourite historical case and answering what their favourite form of advocacy is - and why. Tune into this bitesized episode f...

This week on the Speed Mooting  Partners in Crime  podcast, John and Hayley dive into the world of law with a mix of sharp insights and personal stories. They tackle hot topics like whether your accent really matters in the legal profession, bust some big legal myths, and share tips on holding your ground against more experienced opponents. Plus, a behind-the-scenes peek at their recent trip to Du...

In this episode of the Speed Mooting Partners in Crime podcast, John and Hayley dive into the dynamic world of legal career pathways. Discover the unique opportunities available for aspiring solicitors and barristers, and learn about the innovative speed mentoring sessions that connect budding legal professionals with experienced practitioners. Whether you're an A-level student or a graduate s...

In Episode 70 of  Speed Mooting: Partners in Crime Podcast , Hayley and John return to the virtual courtroom with insights from their ongoing  Criminal Trial Series  at the Legal Advocacy Club. This week’s focus?  Witness handling  - one of the most challenging and important skills for any aspiring advocate. From the structure and strategy of cross-examination to the practical realities of managin...

In this episode of the Speed Mooting: Partners in Crime Podcast, John and Hayley cover a wide range of topics across civil law, advocacy, legal education, and professional development. They share insights into personal injury litigation, explore the value of events like the Northern Pupillage Fair and Speed Mooting competitions, and highlight the growing impact of the Advocacy Club. The episode fe...

In this episode of the Speed Mooting Partners in Crime podcast, hosts John and Hayley explore the vital role of jury trials in the justice system — from their historical roots to the modern debates around their future, including reflections on the Leveson Report and the balance between fairness and efficiency in criminal proceedings. They also answer a listener’s question about what truly makes an...

In this episode, John and Hayley dive into the big news of Christian Horner’s departure and what it could mean for the future of F1. They share the highs and headaches of wedding planning, including the quirky tradition of the wedding breakfast. The legal chat focuses on criminal law careers, highlighting the courtroom experience gained by Crown Prosecutors, the importance of early exposure for as...

In this episode of the Speed Mooting: Partners in Crime podcast, John and Hayley reflect on their journey across 66 episodes, share some unexpected lessons from their recent marriage course, and dive into one of the legal world’s big talking points: the financial realities of life as a solicitor versus a barrister. Along the way, they touch on the art of the plea in mitigation, debate whether juri...

In this lively episode of Speed Mooting: Partners in Crime, barristers Hayley and John take listeners behind the scenes of life at the criminal Bar. They kick off with shout-outs and feedback from the Speed Squad community before diving into what a typical day looks like for a criminal barrister—from courtroom prep to last-minute case surprises. The duo break down the differences between solicitor...

In this episode of Partners in Crime, criminal barrister, John Dove and commercial solicitor, Hayley Crombleholme catch up on recent personal milestones and exciting upcoming events. They share insights from their own experiences with public speaking and debating, reflecting on how recording yourself can be a powerful tool for improving advocacy skills. The legal duo also explore why mastering reb...

In this episode of Speed Mooting: Partners in Crime, John and Hayley open up about the career moments that didn’t go to plan and why that’s often a good thing. From missed pupillage opportunities to realisations in the courtroom, they reflect on how setbacks shaped their direction. Along the way, they discuss practical strategies for interview prep (including the STAR method), how to handle unpred...

In this episode of Speed Mooting: Partners in Crime, John and Hayley dive into the highlights of their recent public speaking course and the power of clear communication in legal advocacy. They explore the value of speakers clubs, break down effective mooting techniques, and offer strategies for dealing with litigants in person. John also shares insights from a recent real-life moot he conducted a...

In this lively episode of Speed Mooting: Partners in Crime, John and Hayley celebrate Hayley's recent win as the Altaris Young Businesswoman of the Year. They also take a deep dive into plea mitigation in criminal law — breaking down strategy, structure, and what to expect in their upcoming Plea Mitigation Competition. Plus, there’s a sneak peek at what’s coming up in the Advocacy Club, and a...

In this episode of Speed Mooting Partners in Crime, John Dove and Hayley Crombleholme dive into your burning questions — and share a few exciting announcements along the way. They break down how to sharpen your commercial awareness in a way that’s actually useful (no more doom-scrolling), and what to do when a judge throws a question you weren’t ready for — whether you're mooting or in the rea...

It’s a super special episode 59! John and Hayley unveil a brand new website and interactive community hub packed with free courses, rewards, and advocacy club exclusives — all designed to help you break into the legal profession - visit speedmooting.com for more info! They also react to a real-life story of a defendant using ChatGPT in court, discuss how AI is creeping into firms, and share honest...

John and Hayley are back from Tenerife and straight into podcast mode - sun kissed, slightly jet-lagged, and ready to tease some huge news coming next week. In this shorter check-in episode, they chat about holiday reflections, wedding ring shopping, upcoming advocacy events, and a developing story about AI-generated legal authorities making waves in court. Plus, John explains the “seven gateways”...

In this episode, Hayley and John dive into the art of persuasion in advocacy—why keeping it simple, speaking slowly, and using pauses can make or break your delivery. They share practical tips for improving your advocacy skills and explain why being invested in your case matters, even when you don’t agree with your client. They also answer listener questions, including:🔹 How to get better at advo...

In this packed episode of Speed Mooting: Partners in Crime, Hayley and John cover everything from the recent Wrestlemania results (spoiler warning!) to practical legal skills that every aspiring lawyer should be working on. Across the episode, they discuss:- The dos and don’ts of legal CVs and how honesty always trumps bravado.- Smart strategies to gain legal experience when you're just starti...

In this special Easter Bank holiday episode of Speed Mooting: Partners in Crime Podcast, Hayley and John bounce from the courtroom to church to the WrestleMania ring — with a solid dose of legal insight along the way. This week’s highlights:- An insider's look into the Crown Court and what to expect as an observer- An honest chat about how to use case law effectively — what counts as authority...

In this episode, John and Hayley share their ultimate pupillage and training contract interview disasters — from giving wildly wrong answers to making up entire practice areas on the spot 😅. But it’s not all horror stories, the legal duo also advice on bouncing back from bad interviews, what not to do in the hot seat, and why it’s better to be honest than impressive. Plus, get updates on upcoming...

In this episode, John chats with Emma Bowie, Chambers Manager at the leading chambers, 18 St John Street, about the real-world challenges and behind the scenes workings of life at the Bar. From the importance of organisation and admin for junior barristers, to the growing role of tech and AI in chambers, Emma shares invaluable advice for those at the start of their legal careers. They also discuss...

In this special episode of the Speed Mooting Podcast, John and Hayley celebrate their first year of podcasting, reflecting on the journey, growth, and valuable discussions they’ve shared with their audience. The conversation then shifts to the art of mooting, with John and Hayley discussing the challenges and strategies involved in preparing for and participating in moots. The episode wraps up wit...