Advocate vs. Solicitor — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 4, 2024
An advocate represents clients in court, focusing on litigation, while a solicitor offers legal advice and prepares cases but typically doesn't represent clients in higher courts.
Difference Between Advocate and Solicitor
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Advocates specialize in representing clients in court, particularly in higher courts, where they argue cases on behalf of their clients, whereas solicitors primarily provide legal advice, prepare legal documents, and handle the procedural aspects of a case.
Solicitors often work directly with clients, offering advice, drafting documents, and conducting negotiations, while advocates are usually engaged by solicitors to represent a case in court due to their specialized skills in advocacy.
In many legal systems, solicitors have the right to represent clients in lower courts, but when a case moves to a higher court, an advocate is required to present it, highlighting the division of roles based on court hierarchy.
Advocates spend a significant portion of their career focusing on courtroom advocacy and the development of specialized knowledge in specific areas of law, on the other hand, solicitors might cover a broader range of legal services, including property transactions, wills, and family law.
The training and qualification process for advocates and solicitors can differ significantly, with advocates often undergoing additional specialized training in advocacy and court procedures, whereas solicitors might focus on a broader legal education that prepares them for a wide range of legal services.
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Comparison Chart
Primary role
Representing clients in court.
Providing legal advice and preparing legal documents.
Court representation
Specialize in higher courts.
Typically represent clients in lower courts.
Client interaction
Usually engaged by solicitors.
Work directly with clients.
Focus
Litigation and courtroom advocacy.
Broad range of legal services.
Training and qualification
Specialized training in advocacy.
Broad legal education.
Compare with Definitions
Advocate
Litigation specialist.
As an advocate, she specializes in courtroom arguments and litigation.
Solicitor
Undergoes broad legal education.
Solicitors typically undergo a broad legal education to serve their diverse roles.
Advocate
Focuses on advocacy.
Advocates undergo extensive training to hone their courtroom advocacy skills.
Solicitor
Direct client work.
He works as a solicitor, dealing directly with clients on various legal matters.
Advocate
Higher court representation.
He's an advocate known for his expertise in appellate court cases.
Solicitor
Legal advice and document preparation.
As a solicitor, she provides comprehensive legal advice and prepares all necessary documents.
Advocate
Engaged by solicitors.
The solicitor engaged a seasoned advocate for the upcoming trial.
Solicitor
Handles a broad range of legal services.
From property transactions to family law, the solicitor covers a wide spectrum of legal services.
Advocate
Expertise in specific areas of law.
She is an advocate with deep expertise in environmental law.
Solicitor
May represent clients in lower courts.
The solicitor represented the client in the lower court before the case was escalated.
Advocate
An advocate is a professional in the field of law. Different countries' legal systems use the term with somewhat differing meanings.
Solicitor
A solicitor is a legal practitioner who traditionally deals with most of the legal matters in some jurisdictions. A person must have legally-defined qualifications, which vary from one jurisdiction to another, to be described as a solicitor and enabled to practise there as such.
Advocate
To speak, plead, or argue in favor of
Advocate a vegan diet.
Solicitor
A member of the legal profession qualified to deal with conveyancing, the drawing up of wills, and other legal matters. A solicitor may also instruct barristers and represent clients in some courts.
Advocate
Usage Problem To act as an advocate
Advocated for her patients.
Advocated for more stringent crime laws.
Solicitor
A person who tries to obtain business orders, advertising, etc.; a canvasser
She had been a telephone solicitor for a Chicago newspaper
Advocate
One that argues for a cause; a supporter or defender
An advocate of civil rights.
Solicitor
One that solicits, especially one that seeks trade or contributions.
Advocate
One that pleads in another's behalf; an intercessor
Advocates for abused children and spouses.
Solicitor
An attorney holding a public office that handles cases involving a city, state, or other jurisdiction.
Advocate
A lawyer.
Solicitor
Chiefly British An attorney who advises clients on legal matters, represents clients in certain lower courts, and prepares cases for barristers to present in the higher courts.
Advocate
Someone whose job is to speak for someone's case in a court of law; a counsel.
Solicitor
(Canadian) A barrister and solicitor; a lawyer.
Advocate
Anyone who argues the case of another; an intercessor.
Solicitor
One who solicits.
Advocate
A person who speaks in support of something, or someone.
Solicitor
In many common law jurisdictions, a type of lawyer whose traditional role is to offer legal services to clients apart from acting as their advocate in court. A solicitor instructs barristers to act as an advocate for their client in court, although rights of audience for solicitors vary according to jurisdiction.
Advocate
A person who supports others to make their voices heard, or ideally for them to speak up for themselves.
Since she started working with her advocate, she has become much more confident.
Solicitor
In English Canada and in parts of Australia, a type of lawyer who historically held the same role as above, but whose role has in modern times been merged with that of a barrister.
Advocate
(transitive) To plead in favour of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.
Solicitor
In parts of the U.S., the chief legal officer of a city, town or other jurisdiction.
Advocate
(transitive) To encourage support for something.
I like trees, but I do not advocate living in them.
Solicitor
(North America) A person soliciting sales, especially door to door.
Advocate
To engage in advocacy.
We have been advocating for changes in immigration law.
Solicitor
One who solicits.
Advocate
To appeal from an inferior court to the Court of Session.
Solicitor
An attorney or advocate; one who represents another in court; - formerly, in English practice, the professional designation of a person admitted to practice in a court of chancery or equity. See the Note under Attorney.
Advocate
To call a case before itself for decision.
Solicitor
A petitioner who solicits contributions or trade or votes
Advocate
One who pleads the cause of another. Specifically: One who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court; a counselor.
Solicitor
A British lawyer who gives legal advice and prepares legal documents
Advocate
One who defends, vindicates, or espouses any cause by argument; a pleader; as, an advocate of free trade, an advocate of truth.
Advocate
Christ, considered as an intercessor.
We have an Advocate with the Father.
Advocate
To plead in favor of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.
To advocate the cause of thy client.
This is the only thing distinct and sensible, that has been advocated.
Eminent orators were engaged to advocate his cause.
Advocate
To act as advocate.
Advocate
A person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
Advocate
A lawyer who pleads cases in court
Advocate
Push for something;
The travel agent recommended strongly that we not travel on Thanksgiving Day
Advocate
Speak, plead, or argue in favour of;
The doctor advocated a smoking ban in the entire house
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between an advocate and a solicitor?
The main difference is that advocates specialize in representing clients in higher courts, while solicitors provide legal advice, prepare cases, and may represent clients in lower courts.
Can solicitors represent clients in all courts?
Solicitors can represent clients in lower courts, but representation in higher courts typically requires the services of an advocate.
How does one choose between an advocate and a solicitor?
The choice depends on the legal needs: for courtroom representation in higher courts, an advocate is required; for legal advice and document preparation, a solicitor is suitable.
What is the training process for becoming an advocate?
The training process involves legal education, followed by specialized training in advocacy and passing a bar or advocacy exam.
What type of law do advocates typically specialize in?
Advocates often specialize in areas of law that frequently require litigation, such as criminal law, civil rights, and family law.
Do advocates provide legal advice?
While advocates primarily focus on court representation, they can also provide legal advice, particularly related to litigation.
What skills are important for a solicitor?
Important skills for a solicitor include strong communication, negotiation, and legal drafting skills, along with a broad understanding of the law.
Why might a solicitor engage an advocate?
A solicitor might engage an advocate for their specialized skills in courtroom advocacy, especially for cases in higher courts.
Can a solicitor become an advocate?
Yes, a solicitor can become an advocate through additional training and qualifications specific to courtroom advocacy.
Are the roles of advocates and solicitors the same in all countries?
The roles and distinctions between advocates and solicitors can vary by country, reflecting different legal systems and traditions.
Is there a difference in the ethical codes for advocates and solicitors?
Both advocates and solicitors adhere to professional ethical standards, but the specifics can vary based on their roles and jurisdictions.
How do solicitors and advocates charge for their services?
Solicitors often charge based on time spent on legal advice and document preparation, while advocates might charge for court appearances and preparation.
What makes a good advocate?
A good advocate has excellent analytical, argumentative, and public speaking skills, along with deep knowledge of the law.
Can a case be handled by both an advocate and a solicitor?
Yes, complex cases often involve both solicitors, who prepare the case, and advocates, who represent the case in court.
How does one decide to pursue a career as an advocate or solicitor?
The decision often depends on one's interest in litigation and court representation (advocate) versus a broader range of legal services (solicitor).
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
