THE LEGAL SKILLS ACADEMY

The Legal Skills Academy is where the Advocacy Club lives — plus Core Skills training, a 12-month development pathway, online courses and a community of aspiring lawyers. One membership. Everything you need.

1000s

of members supported

12

month development pathway

5

years running

2

live sessions each month

Sound familiar?

The problems we exist to solve.

"

I can't find advocacy opportunities that are actually accessible to someone at my stage.

"

I freeze up when I have to speak in front of people. I don't know how to get better.

"

I know I need to develop commercial awareness, but I don't know where to start.

"

I'm practising in isolation. I want a community of people at the same stage as me.

⚖️

The Legal Skills Academy was built around these exact problems. You don't need experience, confidence or a law degree to join — just the motivation to get better. Everything else is provided.

Your membership includes

Two live sessions every month.

Each session runs online via Zoom from 7:30–9pm. All materials are sent seven days in advance — no research or drafting required on your part.

Every last Tuesday

The Advocacy Club

Advocacy Club Session

Our flagship session — live courtroom-style advocacy in small groups, with peer feedback in a low-pressure setting. All materials provided. No drafting. Just show up and advocate.

Speed mooting
Plea in mitigation
Trial advocacy (witness handling, opening & closing)
Civil, criminal, family & commercial submissions
Employment law & bail applications

Every second to last Tuesday

Core Skills Training

Core Skills Session

Live sessions focused on the skills that define a well-rounded lawyer — beyond advocacy. Interactive exercises, small groups, and peer-led discussion with structured feedback.

Public speaking & presentation technique
Debating & adversarial reasoning
Commercial awareness in practice
Structured feedback on delivery

Both sessions are included in every membership — monthly or annual. You'll always know what's coming: materials land in your inbox 7 days before each session.

Every membership includes

Everything in one place.

No extras, no add-ons. Everything below is included from the moment you join.

🎙️

Live Advocacy Club sessions

Monthly courtroom-style advocacy with all materials provided. No drafting required.

📚

Core Skills training

Monthly sessions in public speaking, debating and commercial awareness.

🎥

Online course library

Access our full catalogue of legal and professional skills courses, available any time.

📓

12-month development pathway

A structured framework with progress tracking, milestone certification and formal recognition.

👥

Private community

Access to a members-only space in the Community Hub — connect, share and grow with peers.

🏆

Priority competition access

Early access to Speed Mooting competitions and events throughout the year.

Your development

Track it. Evidence it. Own it.

Membership isn't just access to sessions — it's a structured 12-month journey. Every session you attend is recorded, every stage earns a certificate, and your progress is tracked in a dedicated Professional Development Journal.

1

Foundation

→

2

Development

→

3

Consolidation

→

4

Excellence

Stage 1 · Months 1–3

Foundation

3 sessions required

— Learning the structure
— Understanding frameworks
— Building baseline confidence

Foundations Certificate

Stage 2 · Months 4–6

Development

6 sessions required

— Sharpening your reasoning
— Control under pressure
— Strengthening application of law

Development Certificate

+ feature in our monthly Development Award post

Stage 3 · Months 7–9

Consolidation

9 sessions required

— Integrating advocacy and core skills
— Demonstrating composure
— Evidenced-based improvement

Consolidation Certificate

+ social media feature and a written reference

Stage 4 · Months 10–12

Excellence

12 sessions + 12 months membership required

— Consistent structured advocacy
— Confident, controlled delivery
— Professional judgment

Excellence Certificate

+ personalised advocacy video review from John Dove

Included in every membership

Your Professional Development Journal

Every member receives a digital Professional Development Journal — a working document that follows you through the year. After each session, you record what you practised, the feedback you received, and what you'll do differently next time.

At the end of each quarter, review pages help you build the evidence you need for applications, interviews, and professional conversations. Your journal doesn't just show you attended — it shows how you improved.

Annual members also receive a printed journal and an exclusive LSA hoodie.

Professional
Development
Journal

Legal Skills Academy

Includes 12-month plan

Includes Training records

Includes Session reflections

Includes Pathway tracker

Results that actually matter

Take a look at what members have to say about us.

Testimonials

WHOS IT FOR?

If you want to be a better lawyer,

you're in the right place.

The Academy is genuinly open to anyone - no experience, no minimum stage of study required.

Current members include:

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

career changers

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Academy work?

The Legal Skills 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.

What are the key milestones and rewards?

The Academy operates through a 12-month development pathway designed to recognise consistent engagement and skill progression. As members attend sessions and build their advocacy and core skills, they move through four stages: Foundation, Development, Consolidation, and Excellence. Each stage unlocks a milestone certificate recognising their progress within the Academy. At higher stages, members also receive additional recognition, including features in our monthly Development Award announcements, social media recognition, written references, and at the final stage members receive a personalised advocacy video review from John Dove. The pathway is designed to reward steady participation and provide tangible evidence of your continued professional development.

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 Academy suitable for me?

Yes. The 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 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 Legal Skills Academy sessions?

The papers and Zoom link are sent to the email address with which you register for the Legal Skills Academy at least 7 days prior to your session. If you join the Legal Skills 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 Academy at any time?

Yes. You can join at any time throughout the year. We have different membership options to suit you needs. You can join on a monthly flexible basis or you can commit to the 12 month programme.

How can I cancel my membership?

You can cancel your membership over at speedmooting.com/cancel

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 family 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.

Employment Law Advocacy

At the employment law advocacy session, you will have the opportunity to present a piece of employment law 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.

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.

Commercial Law Advocacy

At the commercial law advocacy sessions you will have the opportunity to present a piece of commercial law 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.

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.

Commercial Awareness

At these sessions, you will have the opportunity to present on a practical piece related to commercial awareness and discuss the practical implications.

Date	Session	Activity
Tuesday 21st July 2026	Core Skills Session	Public Speaking - Techniques for effective speaking
Tuesday 28th July 2026	Advocacy Club Session	Civil Submissions
Tuesday 18th August 2026	Core Skills Session	Debating
Tuesday 25th August 2026	Advocacy Club Session	Speed Mooting
Tuesday 22nd September 2026	Core Skills Session	Commercial Awareness
Tuesday 29th September 2026	Advocacy Club Session	Commercial Law Submissions
Tuesday 20th October 2026	Core Skills Session	Public Speaking - Speech Structure
Tuesday 27th October 2026	Advocacy Club Session	Employment Law Submissions
Tuesday 17th November 2026	Core Skills Session	Commercial Awareness
Tuesday 24th November 2026	Advocacy Club Session	Bail Application
Tuesday 15th December 2026	Core Skills Session	Public Speaking