Combined Advocacy Club Membership
The ultimate value membership
Twice-Monthly Online Sessions: Practise advocacy in a low pressure environment.
Access to Our Speed Mooting Community Hub: Join a vibrant online community of peers and professionals to share ideas, tips, and experiences.
Access to Recorded Training Courses: Learn at your own pace with a library of expertly crafted training resources.
Limited Preparation Time: All materials are provided 7 days prior to each session meaning no research or drafting required.
Ideal Meeting Time: Core sessions take place at 7.30 pm on the penultimate and final Tuesdays of the month.
Full access for just £19 per month
Sessions We Run
Speed Mooting
At the speed mooting sessions, you will be provided with all the materials needed in advance – skeleton arguments, case law and legislation. There is no drafting or research involved! All you need to do is read the material in advance. On the night, you will take part in mooting and be a judge if you like!
Plea in Mitigation
The purpose of the plea in mitigation is for a barrister/solicitor to outline the mitigating factors in a case and therefore obtain the best possible sentence on behalf of their client. You will be able to present you plea in mitigation and receive feedback on your performance.
Family Law Advocacy
At the family law advocacy session, you will have the opportunity to present a piece of civil advocacy that would commensurate with the level of advocacy typically undertaken in the family court by a pupil barrister or trainee solicitor. You will present your submissions and receive feedback on your performance.
Opening Speech
At the opening speech session, you will have the opportunity to present an opening speech. This is a speech made by a lawyer to the tribunal at the beginning of a trial to explain what the case is about and indicate to the court the evidence it is likely to hear.
Witness Handling
This is possibly the most fun aspect of being a lawyer. You will be able to undertake evidence in chief and cross examination. Your peers will play your witnesses. You will also have the opportunity of being a witness on the night. Effective witness handling is a vital skill for any trial lawyer!
Closing Speech
At the closing speech session, you will have the opportunity to present a closing speech. This is a speech made by a lawyer to the tribunal at the end of a trial to summarise the evidence that has been presented and seek to persuade the tribunal to find in their client’s favour. This can be a very fun form of advocacy.
Civil Submissions Advocacy
At the civil submissions advocacy session, you will have the opportunity to present a piece of civil advocacy that would commensurate with the level of advocacy typically undertaken in the county court by a pupil barrister or trainee solicitor. You will present your submissions and receive feedback on your performance.
Bail Application
A bail application is an oral submission made in court by a barrister/solicitor to request that their client is released on bail during the course of criminal proceedings leading up to trial rather than being remanded into custody. You will be able to present you plea in mitigation and receive feedback on your performance.
Public Speaking / Presentation
This is a chance to have fun with your advocacy. You will have the chance to put together a short speech on any topic of your choosing (legal or non-legal). You will perform this to your group and receive feedback on your performance. If you feel brave, you can also undertake a short impromptu speech on the night!
Debating
This is your opportunity to practise adversarial advocacy. You will be given a topic to prepare in advance for you to research and put across your best points on the night. You can receive intervention in your debate so you will need to be prepare for questions.
Who should join?
Law graduates & undergraduates
Non-law graduates & undergraduates
Master's students & graduates
GDL students & graduates
Bar, LPC and SQE students/graduates
Pupils / trainee solicitors
Qualified Lawyers
a Level students or equivalent
anyone else - all are welcome!
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the advocacy club work?
There are two Advocacy Clubs. One focuses on legal submissions and the other focuses on public speaking & debating. Members are welcome to join one club or both.
The advocacy club will take place online via Zoom. At each meeting, the members will be split into groups. Within your small group, you will perform the set advocacy challenge for that particular meeting. Once you have all performed, you will then discuss your performances within your group – both what went well and what can be improved. This gives you the chance to practise and develop your advocacy in a friendly environment! The Advocacy Club meets every month.
The Legal Advocacy Club sessions take place on the last Tuesday of the month, save for December. Meetings last from 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm.
The Public Speaking and Debating Advocacy Club session take place on the second to last Tuesday of the month, save for December. Meetings last from 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm.
In December there will be one meeting which is open to members of both clubs. This will be a public speaking session.
The relevant papers for the meetings will be made available 7 days prior, so you will have a week to prepare.
I've finished my legal studies - can I join?
Absolutely. The Advocacy Club is open to anybody. Therefore those that have graduated from any course – whether it is the LLB, GDL, Bar Course, LPC, Master’s, PhD etc can join.
I have yet to start my legal studies - can I join?
Yes. Aspiring lawyers that are yet to commence their LLB or GDL are more than welcome to join. This is a great way of building experience prior to starting your studies.
I have no advocacy experience - is advocacy club suitable for me?
Yes. The club is open to those of all abilities and experience levels. The instructions we provide are very comprehensive and all materials are provided. This meaning that complete beginners with no experience can join the Advocacy Club.
I'm a qualified lawyer - is this suitable for me?
Yes. The bundles that we provide replicate realistic legal problems and therefore the Advocacy Club is a great way for practising lawyers to practise and hone their advocacy skills.
I'm nervous about advocacy - is this suitable for me?
Certainly! The club has a friendly and inclusive atmosphere. This is the perfect place for those that are nervous or unconfident to practise advocacy and develop their skills in a safe environment.
When will I receive the papers for an Advocacy Club session?
The papers and Zoom link are sent to the email address with which you register for the Advocacy Club at least 7 days prior to your session. If you join the Advocacy Club within 7 days of a session, we endeavour to send the papers to you as soon as possible after you register.
How much preparation is involved?
We understand how busy you are – whether you are a student or in practice, your time is precious. We therefore ensure that the preparation required from you is limited. Our bundles for the legal sessions are comprehensive and therefore include everything that you will need for the session. This will include all legislation, case law, pre-drafted skeleton arguments, sentencing guidelines etc. There is no research or drafting required for the legal sessions. You simply need to read the bundle and prepare your submissions.
Can I join the advocacy club at any time?
Yes. You can join the Advocacy Club at any time throughout the year.
Schedule
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 20 May 2025 | Public Speaking - Use of Notes |
| Tuesday 27 May 2025 | Plea in Mitigation |
| Tuesday 17 June 2025 | Debating |
| Tuesday 24 June 2025 | Opening Speech |
| Tuesday 22 July 2025 | Public Speaking - Techniques for Effective Speaking |
| Tuesday 29 July 2025 | Witness Handling |
| Tuesday 19 August 2025 | Debating |
| Tuesday 26 August 2025 | Closing Speech |
| Tuesday 23 September 2025 | Public Speaking - Speech Structure |
| Tuesday 30 September 2025 | Civil Submissions Advocacy - Relief from Sanctions |
| Tuesday 21 October 2025 | Debating |
| Tuesday 28 October 2025 | Speed Mooting |
| Tuesday 18 November 2025 | Public Speaking - Boosting Confidence and Preparing for a Speech |
| Tuesday 25 November 2025 | Bail Application |
| Tuesday 16 December 2025 | Public Speaking |
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Reviews
Joe Pursehouse
Future Pupil and Advocacy Club Member
"I'm writing to share some good news: I have received an offer of pupillage. This is an amazing opportunity for me, and I wanted to extend my thanks to you and the team at Advocacy Club for all that you have done to support my development as an advocate over the last two years. As a non-student career changer, I simply would not have had the opportunities to practice and compete without the existence of your Club. The AC is one of a kind and I know I will be recommending it to any aspiring barristers I come across for many years to come."
Amelia Thomas-Wilson
Law Student
“I wanted to take the time to say I am, as well as many others I’m sure, grateful that this event (the Northern Pupillage Fair) has been established. Many aspiring barristers cannot attend the London pupillage fairs due to financial constraints and caring responsibilities so this event will open up invaluable networking opportunities for those based in the North. Thank you, Speed Mooting for levelling up the playing field and I look forward to attending in September.”
Jo Anne Pugh
Dean of BPP Law School
“There are relatively few pupillage fairs, and most are either delivered online or are hosted in London. So, we didn’t need to think twice when we were asked to support this much needed event”.
info@speedmooting.co.uk