Have you ever wondered about the meaning of terms like lawyer, advocate, or barrister, and noticed people using them interchangeably? The purpose of this blog is to explore the difference between lawyer, advocate and barrister in 2025.
Table of Contents
Difference between Lawyer, Advocate and Barrister in 2025:
Who is a Lawyer?
The general term used for a person who has completed a degree in law, such as an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) or a JD (Juris Doctor) is Lawyer. In simple words, anyone who has studied law at a recognized university is regarded as a lawyer, regardless of whether they actively practice in court. It is not necessary that all lawyers are licensed to represent clients in court, many pursue careers in legal research, academia, policymaking, legal advisory or consultation, and document drafting, however never stepping into a courtroom. Every advocate or barrister is technically a lawyer, but not every lawyer is qualified or authorized to act in court proceedings.
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Who is an Advocate?
A licensed legal practitioner who is authorized to represent clients in a courtroom is called an advocate. A person becomes an advocate in Pakistan and India after completing some steps, which are discussed below:
Step 1
Completing a law degree from a well-reputed and recognized university.
Step 2
Pass a professional licensing examination (such as Law GAT in Pakistan)
Step 3
Enroll with the respective Bar Council
Step 4
Complete the mandatory apprenticeship period
Once these steps are successfully completed, the person is legally allowed to plead and argue cases before courts. The person can now officially become an Advocate. They play a pivotal role in the dispensing of justice by arguing cases, representing clients, and filing legal pleadings in disputes. They are the true face of courtroom litigation.
Who is a Barrister?
A barrister is a type of lawyer or advocate who holds a Bar-at-law qualification from the United Kingdom. They have expertise in advocacy and litigation.
To become a barrister,
- You must have a law degree.
- Join one of the four Inns of Court.
- Be formally called to the bar, which grants the individual the right to practice as a barrister.
RELATED: List of all-time best Barristers
Jurisdictional Comparison Table:
Common Misconceptions:
There are some common misconceptions about the legal titles, people largely confused due to overlapping terms and regional differences. Here are some of the most common misconceptions:
1. “Every lawyer is an advocate.”
The statement is not accurate. Every advocate can be a lawyer, but not every lawyer is an advocate. A lawyer becomes an advocate only after being enrolled with the Bar Council and obtaining a licence to practice in court
2. “Barristers are better than advocates.”
The title has nothing to do with the competency of a person, it is about the hard work. There is no doubt that Barristers may receive specialized training because of Bar-at-Law diploma focuses on ethics and courtroom advocacy.
3. “Barristers only exist in the UK.”
Barristers mainly exist in the commonwealth countries, which were at some time the colonies of the British. Barristers not only exist in the UK. However, many lawyers from Pakistan, India, and other countries pursue the Bar at Law from the UK, earning the title barrister even if they practice locally.
Conclusion:
Understanding the difference between a lawyer, an advocate, and a barrister is essential, especially when dealing with legal issues or pursuing a legal career. A lawyer is someone who has a law degree, an advocate is a lawyer who is licensed to appear in court, and a barrister is a legal professional trained in the UK who focuses on courtroom advocacy.
Who is called the advocate?
A licensed legal practitioner who is authorized to represent clients in a courtroom is called an advocate. A person becomes an advocate in Pakistan and India after completing some steps, which are discussed below:
Step 1
Completing a law degree from a well-reputed and recognized university.
Step 2
Pass a professional licensing examination (such as Law GAT in Pakistan)
Step 3
Enroll with the respective Bar Council
Step 4
Complete the mandatory apprenticeship period
Once these steps are successfully completed, the person is legally allowed to plead and argue cases before courts. The person can now officially become an Advocate. They play a pivotal role in the dispensing of justice by arguing cases, representing clients, and filing legal pleadings in disputes. They are the true face of courtroom litigation.
Who is called a lawyer?
The general term used for a person who has completed a degree in law, such as an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) or a JD (Juris Doctor) is Lawyer. In simple words, anyone who has studied law at a recognized university is regarded as a lawyer, regardless of whether they actively practice in court. It is not necessary that all lawyers are licensed to represent clients in court, many pursue careers in legal research, academia, policymaking, legal advisory or consultation, and document drafting, however never stepping into a courtroom. Every advocate or barrister is technically a lawyer, but not every lawyer is qualified or authorized to act in court proceedings.
Who is called a barrister?
A barrister is a type of lawyer or advocate who holds a Bar-at-law qualification from the United Kingdom. They have expertise in advocacy and litigation.
To become a barrister,
You must have a law degree.
Join one of the four Inns of Court.
Be formally called to the bar, which grants the individual the right to practice as a barrister.
What is the difference between a barrister and an advocate?
A licensed legal practitioner who is authorized to represent clients in a courtroom is called an advocate while a barrister is a type of lawyer or advocate who holds a Bar-at-law qualification from the United Kingdom.
Who is more powerful, a lawyer or an advocate?
Lawyer have only law degree while advocate has law degree as well as he can practice in the court of law. The terms lawyer and advocate are sometimes interchangeably used. In terms of practice advocate is powerful while in terms of academia, lawyer is more powerful.
Which degree is best for a barrister?
An undergraduate degree in law (LLB) is the best option for a barrister. If you have a non-law undergraduate degree, you will need to complete a conversion course.
What is a barrister called in India?
An “Advocate” represents clients in court. The role of a barrister is unusual in India. Lawyers generally perform similar functions. In India, the terms attorney and lawyer are used interchangeably to refer to legal professionals.
Who is called a barrister in Pakistan?
To practice as a barrister in Pakistan, a law graduate must complete three steps: passing the Bar Practical and Training Course (BPTC), being called to the Provincial Bar Council, and obtaining a license to practice as a lawyer in the courts of Pakistan, either at the provincial or federal level, from the relevant Bar Council.
