# Difference between Lawyer and Advocate in India

If you are interested in pursuing a career in the legal field, you might have come across the terms lawyer and advocate. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings and implications in the Indian context. In this article, we will explain the difference and similarities between a lawyer and an advocate in India, their roles, responsibilities, and qualifications.

# Difference Between Lawyer and Advocate

Lawyers and advocates are legal professionals but have different roles and responsibilities. A lawyer is a legal practitioner who has completed law school and earned a Bachelor of Laws degree. An advocate is a qualified professional who represents clients in court. While lawyers may have a more general practice, advocates typically specialize in a specific area of law and are considered experts in that area. Lawyers can provide legal advice and draft legal documents, while advocates are limited to representing their clients in court.

## Lawyer

The term ‘lawyer’ is very general and used to designate anyone in the legal profession, including a solicitor, barristers and attorneys. A lawyer is anyone who has just completed their legal studies or is currently pursuing their studies. Many lawyers have a broad knowledge of various legal fields, but they may not have the experience or expertise to handle complex cases.

The duties and responsibilities of a lawyer include:

- Giving legal advice to their clients on various matters, such as contracts, property, family, criminal, etc.

- Drafting legal documents, such as agreements, deeds, wills, petitions, etc.

- Conducting legal research and analysis on relevant laws and precedents

- Negotiating settlements or agreements with other parties

- Preparing cases for trial and assisting advocates in court proceedings

- Managing client files and records

- Maintaining professional ethics and standards

The educational requirements for becoming a lawyer are:

- Completing a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognized law school

- Passing the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) conducted by the Bar Council of India (BCI)

- Enrolling with a state bar council as an advocate

The average salary of a lawyer in India is ₹4.5 lakhs per annum.

## Advocate

An advocate is a law specialist and can represent clients in court. An advocate is a lawyer who has passed the bar exam and registered with the bar council. Advocates have a vast array of knowledge, experience and skill in legal matters, and they are heavily involved in representing their clients most of the time. Advocates can handle civil matters, such as disputes between two parties, or criminal matters, such as offences against the state.

The duties and responsibilities of an advocate include:

- Representing their clients in court and pleading on their behalf

- Examining witnesses and cross-examining opponents

- Presenting evidence and arguments to support their case

- Interpreting laws and precedents to the judge or jury

- Advising their clients on the best course of action

- Protecting the rights and interests of their clients

- Maintaining professional ethics and standards

The educational requirements for becoming an advocate are:

- Completing a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognized law school

- Passing the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) conducted by the Bar Council of India (BCI)

- Enrolling with a state bar council as an advocate

The average salary of an advocate in India is ₹6.5 lakhs per annum.

## Similarities Between Lawyer And Advocate

Despite the differences between lawyers and advocates, there are some similarities between these two professions. Some of them are:

- Both lawyers and advocates have to study law and obtain a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognized law school

- Both lawyers and advocates have to pass the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) conducted by the Bar Council of India (BCI) to practice law

- Both lawyers and advocates have to enrol with a state bar council as an advocate to be eligible to appear in court

- Both lawyers and advocates have to follow the rules and regulations laid down by the BCI and the state bar councils

- Both lawyers and advocates have to maintain professional ethics and standards while dealing with clients, courts and other parties

## Conclusion

Lawyers and advocates are both legal professionals who have different roles and responsibilities. A lawyer is a general term used to describe anyone who has completed law school and obtained a law degree. A lawyer can provide legal advice and draft legal documents, but they may not represent clients in court. An advocate is a law specialist who has passed the bar exam and registered with the bar council. An advocate can represent clients in court and plead on their behalf. While lawyers may have a more general practice, advocates typically specialize in a specific area of law.

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