“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 are authorized to 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.
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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 things which advocates and lawyers do:
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.
Hello aspirant,
Yes there are several colleges in India that offer integrated BA LLB programs with psychology as part of the curriculum or as an elective. Here are some institutions:
Each institute may vary regarding teaching or fees structure.
Hope this helps.
Hello Archa,
Delhi University offers LLB and BA LLB programs through its affiliated law faculty and colleges. Here's an overview:
LLB Program
For BA LLB, check with other universities offering integrated programs.
For details about Faculty of Law Delhi University
Click Here
.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
Hello Kuldeep,
With a CLAT 2025 rank of 21,000 , admission into National Law Universities (NLUs) is unlikely as the cutoff ranks for NLUs, even for reserved categories, generally close much earlier. However, several private law colleges and universities accept CLAT scores and may offer you admission. Some of these colleges include:
UPES Dehradun
Known for specialized law courses in energy, corporate, and technology law.
NMIMS School of Law, Mumbai
Offers good placement opportunities and infrastructure.
MIT World Peace University, Pune
Offers modern legal education with good campus facilities.
Alliance University, Bangalore
Recognized for its legal programs and vibrant campus life.
Christ University, Bangalore (if eligible through other criteria)
May consider CLAT scores in combination with its internal processes.
Additionally, private universities like
Amity Law School
,
ICFAI Law School
, and
Sharda University
also accept students with CLAT scores at this rank. Ensure you confirm individual college admission criteria and deadlines, as some might also have alternate pathways for admission.
I would recommend you to use CLAT College Predictor Tool by Careers360 to get the list of possible colleges you can get with your rank.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
Hello Anuja,
Yes, you can change your course from BA to LLB after your first year, but it depends on the specific policies of the college or university you are attending. Typically, you may need to apply for a transfer, and whether this is permitted can depend on several factors:
College/University Policies
: Most colleges have a set procedure for transferring from one course to another. You will need to check with the administrative office or academic counselor to understand their transfer policies.
Eligibility Criteria
: If you are changing from BA to LLB, you will need to meet the eligibility requirements for the LLB program. Some colleges may require you to have completed specific subjects or may have a cutoff for admissions based on your performance in the first year.
Admission Process
: Some colleges might allow you to join the LLB program only if there are vacancies or if you meet certain academic criteria. You may need to apply for the new course and go through an admission process.
Lateral Entry : Some law schools offer lateral entry into their LLB programs, but this is typically after completing a specified number of years in another related course or based on academic performance.
You should consult with your college's academic office to determine the exact steps, eligibility, and documents required to change your course. It is always best to act quickly to ensure you don’t miss any deadlines or procedural requirements.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
Hello,
For LLB 3 years 2025 preparation, here are some top book recommendations:
- MH CET Law (3 Year LLB) by Rinku Merani: This book is specifically tailored for MH CET Law preparation and covers all the sections of the exam comprehensively
- MH-CET LAW (Arihant Experts): Arihant Publications is known for its quality study materials for competitive exams, and this book is no exception. It includes practice papers, mock tests, and detailed explanations
- MH-CET (Common Entrance Test) Law for 3 Years & 5 Years by Chandresh Agrawal: This book provides a thorough coverage of the syllabus and includes previous year question papers for practice
Additionally, you can also refer to section-wise books for a more focused preparation:
- English: Quick Learning Objective General English by RS Aggarwal, Objective General English by A P Bhardwaj
- Legal Aptitude and Reasoning: Legal GK for competitive examination by Universal Publications, Legal Awareness and Legal Reasoning by A P Bhardwaj
- Logical Reasoning: A modern approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal, Logical Reasoning for CLAT, SLAT, LSAT India and other law entrance exams by Universal Publications
- General Knowledge and Current Affairs: General Knowledge 2022-2024 by Arihant Experts, Yearly General Knowledge Book by Pearson
- Mathematics: Class 10 Mathematics IQ Challenge by Anil Ahlawat, Quantitative Aptitude ebook by RS Aggarwal
https://law.careers360.com/colleges/list-of-llb-colleges-in-india
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