What is the difference between advocate and attorney in South Africa?
Asked by: Douglas Heidenreich | Last update: January 25, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (73 votes)
In South Africa, attorneys handle general legal tasks like client consultation and document preparation, while advocates specialise in courtroom advocacy and are usually hired by attorneys to represent clients in higher courts.
What is the difference between lawyer and advocate in South Africa?
Advocates generally need skills to present and argue cases in court while attorneys mostly use their general knowledge of the law to consult with their clients and give legal advice. Both of these career paths can lead to high salaries and job satisfaction.
Why are lawyers called Advocates?
The word “advocate” comes from the Latin term “advocatus,” which means “one who is called to help or support.” In the legal profession, an advocate is a person who represents and defends the interests of another person, group, or cause, typically in a legal or political context.
Is an attorney more powerful than a lawyer?
It is helpful to remember that all attorneys are lawyers, but not all lawyers are attorneys. The major difference is that attorneys can represent clients in court and other legal proceedings, while lawyers cannot.
What does an advocate do?
The role of an advocate is to offer independent support to those who feel they are not being heard and to ensure they are taken seriously and that their rights are respected. It is also to assist people to access and understand appropriate information and services.
Life of a Law Graduate | The differences between an Advocate and an Attorney in South Africa |
Is a lawyer better than an advocate?
The primary difference between the responsibilities and duties of a lawyer vs. advocate is that a lawyer has less experience and might not represent clients in courts. Comparatively, advocates are more qualified in legal matters and can represent their clients.
What are the disadvantages of having an advocate?
- Unintended consequences. Advocacy and sponsorship can have unintended consequences, such as perpetuating bias and discrimination. ...
- Potential for favouritism. ...
- Can be time-consuming.
What is the highest form of lawyer?
- Patent Attorneys.
- Intellectual property (IP) Attorneys.
- Trial Lawyers.
- Tax Attorneys.
- Corporate Lawyers.
What can an attorney do that a lawyer cannot?
Only licensed attorneys can represent clients in court. Lawyers who have not received a license to practice law cannot represent clients in legal proceedings.
Who has more power than a lawyer?
the prosecutor has the most power over your case and your legal future. They have discretion to drop or amend charges, and to some extent over your plea. They would also be the ones able to bring new charges against you.
Is advocate a title in South Africa?
Apart from attorneys, there is also another 'branch' of legal practitioners in South Africa, namely advocates.
Do you need to be a lawyer to be an advocate?
While most legal advocacy jobs demand at least some legal experience or education along with a willingness to learn, some require a law degree. Law students sometimes choose to become legal advocates as a way to gain valuable experience.
What is the closest definition of an advocate?
1. : one who defends or maintains a cause or proposal. an advocate of liberal arts education. 2. : one who supports or promotes the interests of a cause or group.
Who pays Advocates in South Africa?
The distinction is further extended by the fact that the client never pays the advocate directly. The attorney will pay the advocate first from their own account and later the client pays the attorney for such fees.
What do you call a person with a law degree?
The titles JD and Esq. both refer to someone who has completed law school. JD stands for Juris Doctor, and signifies that someone has completed law school and earned their JD degree. Esq. stands for Esquire and is an honorary title that typically signifies someone has both completed law school and passed the bar exam.
What type of lawyer gets paid the most in South Africa?
Which lawyers earn the most in South Africa? The highest-paid lawyers often work in medical, intellectual property, business, and environmental law. Their salaries can vary based on their experience and the type of law they practice.
What not to tell a lawyer?
- Do Not Say Anything to Your Attorney That Is Not True. ...
- Do Not Exaggerate Your Injuries When Talking to Your Lawyer. ...
- Do Not Tell Your Lawyer to Act On Your Behalf and Take Other Action Without Their Awareness.
What type of lawyer never goes to court?
There are many types of lawyers that rarely (if ever) go into court, as the scope of their work does not require it. These may include estate planning lawyers, labor lawyers, personal injury lawyers, and bankruptcy lawyers.
Is an attorney higher than a lawyer?
An attorney will better represent most people's legal needs than a lawyer. Attorneys have the full authority to represent you in all court matters.
What is the lowest level of lawyer?
Ranks in a law firm start from entry-level positions like paralegals and trainee solicitors, progressing through legal associates and senior associates, up to managerial roles such as legal directors and partners, with senior partners at the top.
What type of lawyer is the richest?
Corporate and tax lawyers tend to be the highest earners, with patent and IP lawyers not far behind. Trial lawyers also pull down a lot of money, particularly in the civil litigation field. Other lawyers are more motivated by getting justice for their clients than by collecting the largest possible paycheck.
What kind of lawyer do I need if I want to sue someone?
Civil litigation lawyers often go to court to represent their clients, including for personal injury claims, contract disputes, and other common civil matters. Likewise, criminal defense attorneys frequently defend their clients in court.
Can an advocate go to court?
Also, you can have an advocate sit next to you at the table in the courtroom and confer (talk) with you during the hearing, unless the judge says otherwise.
What are the risks of advocates?
Advocacy can be risky
Upsetting the balance that they have created has the potential to lead to a strong reaction which could put barriers in your way. One of the largest risks is involvement in industry and political associations, public actions and events.
Why would you need an advocate?
If you find it difficult to understand your care and support or find it hard to speak up, there are people who can act as a spokesperson for you. They make sure you're heard and are called advocates.