What is the Difference Between Lawyer and Advocate?

Have you ever found yourself in a courtroom drama (real or Netflix) and thought, "Wait, aren’t lawyers and advocates the same thing?" Well, spoiler alert: they’re not! Though we often find people using these two terms interchangeably, the difference is significant! EVERY Advocate is a Lawyer, but every Lawyer is NOT an Advocate. Read on to decode the differences, the similarities, and more in detail. 
 

A Lawyer is a person with a law degree like B.A. LL.B. or BB.A. LL.B., and eligible to give advice but not represent a client in a court of law unless he is registered with the Bar Council of a state. An Advocate on the other hand is registered with the Bar Council of a state and represents a client in a court of law. The term "lawyer" refers to anyone in the legal profession, including solicitors, barristers, and attorneys. An advocate is a professional who specializes in representing clients in legal procedures.

For a Lawyer:

The responsibilities of a lawyer are listed below:
 

• Attend Trials and Hearings in the Court
• Work in close collaboration with the police and the investigators
• Conduct a case review and give legal advice to clients
• Book the calendar for interviews, assessments, and meetings with clients
• Conduct research and accumulate legal evidence in favour of client
• Educate clients on their Constitutional rights
   

For an Advocate:

The responsibilities of an advocate are listed below:
 

• Represent the Client in the Court of Law
• Help the police and the investigators in preparing well before standing in front of the court
• Send notifications to authorities in case of any complaint against court officials
• Conduct thorough legal research concerning the case
• Observe court etiquette and good conduct
• Provide the court with the necessary evidence to reach a conclusion in a legal situation

Lawyers are qualified to provide legal advice to individuals and organizations, including companies, colleges, and universities. In addition to offering guidance, they draft essential documents needed for legal processes. However, they are not permitted to practice in a court of law unless they meet specific requirements. Advocates, on the other hand, specialize in representing and advocating for their clients in court. Lawyers can also practice in court if they enrol with a state bar council. To do so, they must first register and then pass the All-India Bar Exam (AIBE), which qualifies them to represent and defend clients in court.

Most lawyers and advocates opt to specialize in a specific area of law while in law school or after graduating. Individuals who practice law can provide legal advice and support in any area of specialization. Some of the most common specialisations include:
 

• Real Estate
• Family
• Criminal
• Constitutional
• Corporate
• Immigration
• Labour
• Environmental
• Personal Injury and more
• Intellectual Property
• Taxation

When it comes to experience, Advocates are the bigger sharks! They are more experienced from practising in multiple judicial settings throughout their careers. They are adept in representing their clients in the court of law and turning court’s judgements in their client’s favour. 

Lawyers are legal experts who have recently graduated from law school and do not have the essential experience. They are aware of the law, including statutes, rules and regulations, and legal precedents. However, when it comes to experience, the lawyer's years of court practice are zero.
 

The Fee of an Advocate depends on his social standing and his expertise. However, his fee is more than a lawyer because he represents his client in the court of law and fights the case on his behalf which a lawyer cannot do. 

The starting salary of both the lawyer and the advocate is 1 lakh. It can go up to 9-11 lacs as average salary per annum.

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Conclusion

Depending on what you wish to do with your career, you can choose between a lawyer and an advocate. However, you become either, you must have a degree of law! To get closer to your dreams, you can enrol in UPES, Dehradun’s law programs. Both B.B.A. LL. B and B.A. LL. B offer excellent career prospects and opportunities for growth. The key is to align your choice with your interests, long-term career goals, and strengths. Whether you’re looking to work in a multinational company or practice law independently, both degrees have the potential to set you on a path to success. APPLY TODAY!