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
Reviews
Practical training trusted by aspiring and junior lawyers
Tarmara Stockwin
LPC Graduate
"If you’re serious about a career in law, value building strong relationships with your colleagues and clients, and become a powerful advocate, I strongly recommend joining the Advocacy Club, where you can develop your communication skills and meet like-minded individuals."
Lucy James
Bar Student
"The Advocacy Club allows people to watch other advocates and see how impactful different techniques and styles can be. At this stage of my career, being a trainee barrister, it is incredibly valuable to witness such a variety of skills to learn from and apply.
I would encourage others to join because you can try different styles or methods of advocacy that you may not be able to in other settings. You can get things wrong and learn so much from it, with supportive peers around you"
Ellie Moorhouse
Career Changer & Bar Student
"I joined the Advocacy Club because I wanted more opportunities to develop my advocacy skills in a safe and supportive environment.
It’s a safe place to receive and implement feedback, or even just observe if you aren’t ready to share yet.
It also gives you the chance to network with other people in similar circumstances as well as legal professionals I would have never met otherwise."
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 Dove Academy work?
The Dove Academy sessions take place online via Zoom. At each meeting, members are split into groups. Within your small group, you will perform the set take 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 skills in a friendly environment!
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 Core Skills sessions 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 on the third Tuesday of the month which will focus on Core Skills.
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 Dove Academy 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 the Dove Academy suitable for me?
Yes. The Dove Academy is open to those of all abilities and experience levels. The instructions we provide are very comprehensive and all materials are provided. This means that complete beginners with no experience can join the Dove Academy.
I'm a qualified lawyer - is this suitable for me?
Yes. The bundles that we provide replicate realistic legal problems and therefore the Dove Academy is a great way for practising lawyers to practise and hone their 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 Dove Academy sessions?
The papers and Zoom link are sent to the email address with which you register for the Dove Academy at least 7 days prior to your session. If you join the Dove Academy 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 are comprehensive and therefore include everything that you will need for the session. For the legal advocacy sessions, 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 Dove Academy at any time?
Yes. You can join the Dove Academy at any time throughout the year.
How can I manage my membership?
You can manage your memberships at any time using our membership management link. All changes can be made quickly and securely in one place.
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 27th January 2026 | Trial Advocacy - Opening Speech |
| Tuesday 17th February 2026 | Debating |
| Tuesday 24th February 2026 | Trial Advocacy - Witness Handling |
| Tuesday 24th March 2026 | Public Speaking - Speaking with conviction |
| Tuesday 31st March 2025 | Trial Advocacy - Closing Speech |
| Tuesday 21st April 2026 | Debating |
| Tuesday 28th April 2026 | Speed Mooting |
| Tuesday 19th May 2026 | Public Speaking - Use of notes |
| Tuesday 26th May 2026 | Plea in Mitigation |
| Tuesday 23rd June 2026 | Debating |
| Tuesday 30th June 2026 | Family Law Submissions |
| Tuesday 21st July 2026 | Public Speaking - Techniques for effective speaking |
| Tuesday 28th July 2026 | Civil Submissions |
| Tuesday 18th August 2026 | Debating |
| Tuesday 25th August 2026 | Speed Mooting |
| Tuesday 22nd September 2026 | Public Speaking - Speech structure |
| Tuesday 29th September 2026 | Commercial Law Submissions |
| Tuesday 20th October 2026 | Debating |
| Tuesday 27th October 2026 | Employment Law Submissions |
| Tuesday 17th November 2026 | Public Speaking - Boosting confidence and preparing for a speech |
| Tuesday 24th November 2026 | Bail Application |
| Tuesday 15th December 2026 | Public speaking |
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