Help shape the next generation
Volunteer as a judge for our national competitions. Give something back to the profession, sharpen your own advocacy eye, and log it as part of your own professional development.
WHY JUDGE WITH US?
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPLMENT
How judging fits your CPD or continuing competence.
Solicitors and barristers are regulated differently, so we've broken down how judging fits each.
FOR SOLICITORS (SRA)
Continuing Competence
Since 2016, the SRA has moved away from fixed CPD hours or points. Instead, solicitors are expected to reflect on their practice, identify their learning and development needs, undertake appropriate learning, and evaluate its impact. Any activity that genuinely supports those objectives can form part of your continuing competence.
Judging advocacy competitions develops many of the skills reflected in the SRA Competence Statement, including assessment, providing constructive feedback, exercising professional judgement and working with others. Where these activities support your identified learning needs, they can form a legitimate part of your annual reflection and continuing competence record.
FOR BARRISTERS (BSB)
Judging aligns closely with the BSB's CPD requirements
The BSB's CPD framework is principles-based. Your CPD should develop the knowledge and skills relevant to your practice and extend beyond your normal day-to-day work where appropriate. The BSB's guidance gives examples such as delivering training, mentoring and voluntary activities as activities that may contribute towards your professional development.
Judging advocacy competitions shares many of these characteristics. It involves critically assessing oral advocacy, exercising professional judgement, providing structured feedback and supporting the development of future members of the profession, making it an activity that may appropriately be recorded as CPD where it supports your learning and development needs.
What we provide: every judge receives written confirmation of their participation — competition name, date and hours - to log against your own CPD plan or continuing competence record.
Please note: This information is intended as general guidance only. Practitioners remain responsible for ensuring that any activity they record satisfies the requirements of their regulator and should refer to the latest SRA or BSB guidance when recording CPD.
THE PROCESS
Simple, low friction, well-organised
Register your interest
Complete the short form for us.
We'll contact you when competitions launch
You can let us know when your availability
matches our opportunities
We'll brief you in advance
You'll get everything you need, including a cheat sheet to keep your prep time minimal.
Join us as a Judge
Online or in person, depending on the event. Most judging slots are for 3 hours.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
No specific seniority required
YOU'RE A GOOD FIT IF YOU ARE:
A practising barrister, solicitor, member of the judiciary
Comfortable giving direct, constructive feedback
At any stage of practice newly qualified through to silk or bench
A practising barrister, solicitor, member of the judiciary
Comfortable giving direct, constructive feedback
At any stage of practice newly qualified through to silk or bench
WE DON'T REQUIRE:
Previous judging experience
Advocacy or mooting experience as a student
A specific area of practice — all areas welcome
Previous judging experience
Advocacy or mooting experience as a student
A specific area of practice — all areas welcome
Ready to judge your first round?
No commitment required at this stage - just let us know that you're interested.
WHAT OUR JUDGES SAY
Hear from those who've judged with us previously
Reviews
Respected and recognised across the legal profession
Michael Trevelyan
Barrister and Pupil Supervisor
Cornwall Street Barristers
"Honestly I can not get over how good Speed Mooting, and its many sub-branches, is for aspiring lawyers.
It's an incredible resource that levels the playing field for all who want to join the profession.
I recommend it to all of my mini-pupils, students and anyone I meet who expresses the slightest interest in the law!"
Emma Bowie
Chambers Manager
18 St John Street Chamebers
"Speed Mooting really is a great organisation to assist with all the skills required to become the lawyer you want to be!"
Richard Biggs
Partner
Irwin Mitchell LLP
"Speed Mooting's events are always of an incredibly high standard.
To any aspiring lawyers, this is a brilliant organisation to get involved with"
