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“Lawyer” and “Advocate” are often used interchangeably in popular culture. However, there are some fundamental differences between a lawyer and an advocate. A lawyer is basically a person who has studied Law and is involved in the legal profession. But, an advocate is a slightly more specific term, used in the context of those lawyers who represent a client in a court of law. Thus, it is right to say that all advocates are lawyers, but all lawyers may not be advocates. However, is that the only difference between an advocate and a lawyer? Read the article to know more about the lawyer vs advocate comparison.
A law graduate, involved in the legal profession such as those related to giving legal advice, consultation, assisting or any other law profession is called a lawyer. The term “Lawyer” is a very broad term and is used in the context of a legal professional including a barrister or an attorney.
Also Read | Types of law degrees
In legal terms, an advocate is a lawyer who enters into a roll under the provisions of the Advocates Acts 1961. In simple terms, an advocate is a lawyer who is registered with any State Bar Council or Bar Council of India. The conduct of an advocate is governed by the rules of the Bar Council of India (BCI), the apex regulatory body for legal professionals.
There are several points to be looked at in the advocate vs lawyer comparison. Some of the points are given in the table below.
Lawyer | Advocate |
A lawyer is any law graduate involved in a legal profession | Advocate represents their clients in the Court of Law |
Lawyer can be used in the context of a legal advisor, attorney, solicitor, barrister or even a law professor | Advocates have specified role and duties. It is a more specific term |
Lawyers may not be very experienced in the practising law | Advocates are experienced professionals and have cleared a standard Bar examination |
Lawyers cannot represent clients in Court of Law, but they can give legal advice, assist their clients in legal matters, or work in the corporate sector as a law professional | Advocates have Certificate of Practice (CoP) issued by the apex regulator of the legal profession and legal education in India. The CoP enables advocates to practice law |
Lawyers are not covered under Advocates Act | The conduct of advocates is governed by Advocates Act 1961 |
Whether a person is a lawyer or an advocate, both are legal professionals and have several common roles and responsibilities which their job entails. Given below are a few similar things that advocates and lawyers do:
The following are the roles and responsibilities of a lawyer:
The responsibilities of advocates are as follows:
Newly graduated lawyers, with no practical experience, are not authorized to represent clients in court. They must first gain the required experience before taking on such responsibilities.
Advocates are individuals who have successfully passed the AIBE exam. After clearing the exam and enrolling with a state bar council, they become qualified to practice in any court, equipped with extensive knowledge, skills, and experience in legal matters.
Since lawyers are those legal professionals who have just graduated from law school hence they do not have the necessary experience. Though they have knowledge of the law, including statutes, rules and regulations, and legal precedents.
Lawyers, having recently graduated from law school, lack practical experience. While they possess a strong understanding of legal principles, including statutes, rules, and precedents, they have not yet gained the hands-on experience required for real-world legal practice.
However, advocates, on the other hand, possess more experience, having worked across various judicial environments over the course of their careers. Their knowledge, expertise, and skill set come from representing clients and successfully securing favorable outcomes. These clients can include individuals or entities such as corporations, banks, or organizations.
A huge difference between advocates and lawyers is their area of specialization. Advocates often focus on particular fields, such as criminal law or corporate law, and develop deep expertise in those specific areas. Lawyers, however, possess a larger understanding of legal processes but do not specialize in any single area.
It must be noted that all advocates are lawyers but all lawyers are not advocates. So,being an advocate one gets an additional qualification to represent clients in addition to all the roles and responsibilities a lawyer can perform. So, becoming an advocate greatly increases the scope of earnings for a lawyer. However, the earnings will also depend on the the reputation of the advocate, type of clients being represented, and the type of cases at hand. On the other hand, a lawyer can find jobs in legal firms, and in the legal department of different organisations.
As per Ambition box data, the average salary of a lawyer in India ranges between Rs. 1-11 lakh p.a. with an average salary of Rs.4.8 lakh p.a. On the other hand the salary of an advocate in India ranges between Rs. 1.1 -9 lakh p.a. with an average salary of 4.9 lakh p.a.
To become a lawyer in India aspirants in India can complete a formal law degree and become lawyers. As per the “Rules of Legal Education” given by the Bar Council of India, there are two types of law courses leading to a bachelor's Degree in Law. These are;
LLB course - This course is popularly known as a 3-year LLB degree programme. Law aspirants can undertake this course only after completing graduation from a university recognized by the Bar Council of India.
Also Read | Types of Lawyers in India
A double-degree integrated course is a combination of Bachelor’ degree in Law and any other Bachelors’ discipline. The degree programme will be of at least five years and students can pursue it right after completing Class 12. Some of the popular 5-year integrated LLB programmes are BA LLB, BBA LLB, BCom LLB and BSc LLB.
After completion of the programme, students are eligible to register themselves with state bar councils. Such law graduates are called lawyers.
Related: Online Law Courses & Certifications
A law graduate becomes an advocate only when he/she is registered with the Bar Council of India (BCI). The council conducts an All India Bar Examination (AIBE) to set a standard for advocates. Law graduates who wish to become advocates are required to clear the AIBE exam and obtain a Certificate of Practice from the BCI. Generally, the AIBE exam is conducted twice a year and applications for it are accepted online from the official website of the council.
Those who clear the AIBE exam and have received the CoP from the council are eligible to represent their clients in a Court of Law. These lawyers are called Advocates.
Advocates uphold the interests of their clients and play a crucial role in the administration of justice. They are also bound by the rules of the Bar Council of India and accordingly, they are expected to adhere to the highest standards of probity and honour.
Also, check - Difference Between Judge and Magistrate
Anyone who has completed their legal education and possess the Bachelor of Legislative Law (LLB) degree can be called as a lawyer
Any lawyer whose name has been entered in the roll prepared and maintained by the State Bar Council under section 17 of the Advocates Act, 1961.
A lawyer does not have the authority to practise law or represent clients, only an advocate can do so.
Yes. A lawyer can become an advocate if they clear the All India Bar Examination conducted by the Bar Council of India and their name is entered in roll maintained by the State Bar Council under section 17 of the Advocates Act, 1961.
While possessing an LLB degree is a prerequisite for becoming an advocate, it is not enough. To become an advocate the person’s name must be entered in the roll maintained by the State Bar Council and the person must also clear the All India Bar Examination conducted by the Bar Council of India.
An advocate can represent clients in court, which a lawyer cannot.
Becoming an advocate is an additional qualification which a lawyer gets after clearing the AIBE exam. So, an advocate is always better than being only a lawyer.
Yes. Anyone who has completed their legal education and obtained the Bachelor of Legislative Law (LLB) degree is a lawyer.
Dear Candidate ,
For the BA LLB integrated program at Lincoln College of Law , Sirhind ( Punjabi University, Patiala ) , the semester tuition fee is approximately 1.2 lakhs .
Hello,
The online application process for the LLB (3-year) course at RMLAU for the 2025–26 session began in February 2025, and the initial registration deadline was around 30 June 2025.
Here are the key points:
University opened the UG and professional course applications (including LLB) in February 2025.
Last date to apply for UG courses, LLB included, has been mentioned as 30 June 2025.
The official admission portal is RMLAU’s Samarth eGov system.
Hope it helps !
For admission into BBA, B.Tech, BA LLB, and other undergraduate and postgraduate courses at GITAM, candidates must either appear for the GITAM GAT or apply through national-level entrance exams such as JEE Main or CUET, depending on the course. The application fee for the GITAM GAT is rupees one thousand two hundred per group , and rupees two thousand four hundred if applying for two test groups.
The BA LLB syllabus includes a combination of law, social sciences, English, and core legal subjects , along with internships and clinical papers spread across ten semesters .
Dear Candidate ,
You can check the overall provisional merit list for the BA LLB 6 - year course session 2025-26 , at MDU Rohtak via its official website :
https://mdu.ac.in
- Go to the MDU Rohtak admissions / Merit list page ( Admissions - Merit ) .
- Look for " Overall Provisional Merit List of BA LLB - 5 Year course for the session 2025 -26" this was published on 30 June 2025 .
To be eligible for a 3-year LLB program, candidates generally need a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university, with a minimum percentage of marks, typically around 45% for the general category and 40% for reserved categories. Registration for LLB programs typically begins after the announcement of results for the qualifying degree exams, and specific dates vary by institution and entrance exams if required.
Eligibility Criteria:
Educational Qualification:
A Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university is required.
Minimum Marks:
General category candidates usually need to have secured at least 45% marks in their bachelor's degree, while reserved categories (OBC, SC, ST) may have a lower requirement, typically around 40%.
Qualifying Exam:
Some institutions may conduct their own entrance exams or consider scores from national-level law entrance tests like CLAT or AILET.
Age Limit:
There is generally no upper age limit for pursuing a 3-year LLB.
Mode of Study:
The qualifying degree can be obtained through regular, distance, or correspondence mode.
Registration Period:
Varies by Institution:
Registration periods for LLB programs differ based on the specific college or university and whether it's through direct admission or an entrance exam.
After Qualifying Exam Results:
Registration usually begins after the announcement of results for the qualifying degree exams.
Entrance Exams:
If an entrance exam is required, registration for the exam will precede the admission process for the LLB program.
Example:
AILET registration started on August 1st, 2024, and CLAT 2025 registration began on July 15, 2024.
Important Note: It's crucial to check the specific eligibility criteria and registration details of the particular institution or entrance exam you are interested in.
A lawyer advises clients on legal matters, represents them in court, and drafts legal documents. They work in various fields like criminal, corporate, or family law. Key skills include communication, research, and analytical thinking. To become a lawyer in India, one must complete a law degree, clear entrance exams, register with the Bar Council, and pass the All India Bar Examination.
A civil lawyer handles non-criminal legal disputes like family, property, and contract issues. They represent clients in court, draft documents, and advise on legal rights. To practice in India, one needs an LLB degree and Bar Council enrollment. Civil lawyers work in firms, government, or independently, with growing demand across various specialisations.
Individuals in the human rights lawyer career path are legal professionals responsible for advocating for people whose inherent dignity has been violated and who have suffered a lot of injustice. They take cases to defend the human rights of minorities, vulnerable populations, the LGBTQI community, indigenous people and others.
A criminal lawyer defends individuals or organisations accused of crimes, ensuring fair trial and legal rights. They analyse cases, represent clients in court, conduct legal research, and negotiate plea deals. Strong communication, analytical, and ethical skills are essential. After earning a law degree, gaining experience, and registering with a Bar Council, they can practise independently or with law firms.
Family lawyers are required to assist a client in resolving any family-related problem. In general, family lawyers operate as mediators between family members when conflicts arise. Individuals who opt for a career as Family Lawyer is charged with drafting prenuptial agreements to protect someone's financial interests prior to marriage, consulting on grounds for impeachment or civil union separation, and drafting separation agreements.
A cyber lawyer handles legal issues related to the internet, such as cybercrimes, data breaches, and online privacy. They prepare legal documents, represent clients in court, and advise businesses on cybersecurity compliance. The career requires a law degree, specialisation in cyber law, and strong tech knowledge.
An immigration lawyer is responsible for representing the individuals (clients) involved in the immigration process that includes legal, and illegal citizens and refugees who want to reside in the country, start a business or get employment.
A Government Lawyer represents the government in legal matters, provides legal advice to officials, drafts legislation, and prosecutes or defends cases. The role requires strong research, communication, and analytical skills. To pursue this career, one must obtain an LLB, pass the Bar Exam, gain court experience, and apply for government positions. Career progression includes roles from junior to senior government lawyer.
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