Speed Mooting Presents · Sponsored by BPP University Law School
The 2026 Bail
Application
Competition
Step into the shoes of a practising advocate and make your case before a judge. No drafting. No research. Just you, the facts, and five minutes on your feet.
Competition day
12
December 2026
Saturday
9am – 4pm
Online via Zoom
About the competition
Are you an aspiring advocate?
The Bail Application Competition is a unique opportunity to experience what life is really like on your feet in court — judged purely on your ability to advocate, with no legal research or drafting required.
The competition from start to finish will take less than 24 hours of your time: from receiving the brief to the final round. Papers are released by 6pm on Friday 11th December, giving you the evening to prepare before competing on Saturday 12th December.
Compete as an individual, set yourself apart, and put a genuinely distinctive experience on your CV.
"A bail application is an oral submission made in court by a barrister or solicitor, asking that their client be released on bail during the criminal proceedings leading up to trial, rather than being remanded into custody."
Key Details
Everything you need to know
Competition date
Saturday 12 December 2026
9am – 4pm · Online via Zoom
Papers released
By 6pm, 11 December
All materials included in the bundle — no additional research required
Your time limit
5 minutes
To present your bail application to the judge
Judged on
Oral advocacy only
No legal research or drafting — pure advocacy skills
Total competitors
200 places
Everyone who signs up competes
Entry fee
£36.00
Non-refundable
The Format
How the competition works
Round 1 · Morning
Group Stage
200 competitors are split into 20 groups of 10. Each group has their own judge. One by one, each competitor presents their bail application. The group judge selects one winner to progress.
20 progressRound 2 · Early Afternoon
Semi-Finals
The 20 who progress are split into 5 groups of 4. Each competitor presents again before their judge. One winner is chosen from each group to go forward to the final.
5 progressRound 3 · Late Afternoon
The Final
The 5 finalists each present one last time before the full panel of judges. The panel then deliberates and names the winner and runner-up.
1 winnerNo research required. All materials are included in the bundle released by 6pm on 11th December. You will be judged purely on your oral advocacy — your ability to present a clear, compelling case on your feet.
Eligibility
Who can sign up?
- A Level students
- Law undergraduates and graduates
- Non-law students and graduates
- GDL students and graduates
- Masters, BPTC, LPC/SQE students and graduates
- Others at the discretion of the organisers — get in touch
Competing as an individual
Participants represent themselves — not their university. You sign up independently through the website, so there's no need for your institution to form a team. If you want to compete, you can.
Already a trainee, pupil or qualified practitioner? Join us as a judge instead →
Prizes
What's up for grabs
iPad
Awarded to the overall winner as decided by the full judging panel.
£100 Voucher
Awarded to the runner-up as decided by the full judging panel.
FAQs
Your questions answered
What do I need to prepare in advance?
Very little. The full bundle — including the case facts and any relevant materials — is released by 6pm on Friday 11th December. There is no legal research required. You just need to read the papers and prepare your oral submission.
Do I need any prior advocacy experience?
No — the competition is open to everyone from A Level students to postgraduate students. If you can communicate clearly and think on your feet, you're ready to compete. This competition is designed to help you build that experience.
Can I enter as part of a team?
No. This is an individual competition. You sign up and compete in your own name, not on behalf of your university or institution. This means anyone can enter — there's no team allocation system to navigate.
What platform is the competition held on?
The competition takes place online via Zoom. You'll need a working camera and microphone. Full joining instructions will be sent to you ahead of competition day.
Why is the entry fee non-refundable?
Speed Mooting is a small, independent business. When you register, your place is held and we begin recruiting judges and scheduling around you. We don't operate a reserve list, so a cancelled place cannot be filled. The fee covers the cost of running the competition, and we aren't in a position to issue refunds once it's been paid. If you have any doubts about your availability, please don't register until you're sure — and feel free to email us with any questions first.
Who are the judges?
Judges are practising barristers and legal professionals. Further details will be announced closer to the competition date.
I have another question — who do I contact?
Email us any time at [email protected] and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Ready to compete?
Sign up now
Places are limited to 200 competitors. Papers are released by 6pm on Thursday 11th December — competition day is Saturday 12th December 2026.
£36.00 entry fee · non-refundableRegister Now →
Questions? Email us at [email protected]
Further information at speedmooting.com
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Reviews
Nicholas Stone
Future Pupil Barrister and 2023 National Speed Mooting Competition Champion
"Speed Mooting was very helpful with getting pupillage, as the pupillage process tests how well you can make a case.
The Speed Mooting competition gave me a good chance to become a better speaker, and to gain more confidence in my abilities. It's a great opportunity to test yourself and improve.”
Liam Ainscough
Law Lecturer, University of Bolton
“The events I attended were insightful to the industry and mooting was fun and informative at the same time. I would highly recommend that undergraduate students attend the annual moot to not only increase their confidence, but to obtain skills that are desirable in practise. The NSMC team always provide more than enough information and the event is similar to the working paradigm of a barrister. As an academic, I always recommend these events to students.”
Mersede Mardani
Law Student
“Today I joined Speed Mooting's "Introduction to Mooting Course".
I must admit that prior to attending this course, I was not familiar with mooting or what a moot consists of. However, after participating in this course, I can confidently say that thanks to John Dove's incredibly informative presentation, I now thoroughly understand what a moot consists of, and I have the courage to apply this to a moot and experience it first-hand.
I look forward to putting into practice the knowledge I have gained today and continue to attend moots throughout my legal journey.”
