Editing Advocate (section)

==Africa==

===South Africa===
In [[South Africa]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sabar.co.za/legal-career.html |title=sabar.co.za |publisher=sabar.co.za |date=1998-11-16 |access-date=2013-06-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603014800/http://www.sabar.co.za/legal-career.html |archive-date=2013-06-03 }}</ref> there are two main branches of legal practitioner: attorneys, who do legal work of all kinds, and Advocates, who are specialist litigators; see [[Attorneys in South Africa]]. 
In general, Advocates (also called 'counsel') are 'briefed' by attorneys when a specialist skill in court-based [[litigation]], or in research into the law ([[Legal opinion#Legal opinions of counsel or government law officers|an opinion]]) is required. 
Referral Advocates thus have no direct contact with clients and are said to be in a 'referral' profession. However, Advocates who have a Trust Account and hold a valid Fidelity Fund Certificate are authorized to take briefs directly from the public and attorneys respectively.

The key formal distinction, however, is the different rights with regard to the courts in which they may appear. Advocates have the right to appear in any court, while attorneys have the right to appear only in the [[South African Law#Court system in South Africa|lower courts]]. (And, under certain conditions, can acquire the right of appearance in the [[South African Law#Court system in South Africa|superior courts]], by applying to the registrar of the provincial division of the relevant High Court.)<ref>[http://www.labour.gov.za/downloads/documents/research-documents/Law_DoL_Report.pdf "LAW PROFESSIONALS"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728233206/http://www.labour.gov.za/downloads/documents/research-documents/Law_DoL_Report.pdf |date=2013-07-28 }}, Department of Labour South Africa</ref> A further distinction is that while attorneys practice in partnership, Advocates are individual practitioners and never form partnerships; practice in "Chambers" and / or "Groups" is standard.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.johannesburgbar.co.za/groups.html |title=johannesburgbar.co.za |publisher=johannesburgbar.co.za |date=2001-04-08 |access-date=2013-06-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513091027/http://www.johannesburgbar.co.za/groups.html |archive-date=2013-05-13 }}</ref>

The requirements to enter private practice as Advocates (Junior Counsel) are to hold the [[Bachelor of Laws#South Africa|LL.B.]] degree, and to become a member of a [https://web.archive.org/web/20110827174751/http://www.sabar.co.za/members.html Bar Association] by undergoing a period of training ([[Pupillage|pupilage]]) for one year with a practicing Advocate, and to sit an admission examination. See [[Legal education in South Africa]].

On the recommendation of the Bar Councils, an advocate "of proven experience and skill" with at least ten years experience, may be appointed by the [[President of South Africa]] as a [[Senior Counsel]] (SC; also referred to as a "silk"). Junior advocates are commonly rewarded with a traditional gift of a [[Brief (law)#Brief bag|red brief bag]] by a Senior Counsel as recognition for excellence.

''State Advocates'' act as a [[Prosecutor#Directors of public prosecutions|public prosecutor]] in High Court matters, typically in cases requiring preparation and research. They are appointed by the [[National Prosecuting Authority]] and are attached to the Office of the [[National Prosecuting Authority#Leadership|National Director of Public Prosecutions]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.justice.gov.za/brochure/careers-in-justice.html|title=Justice/Resources/Publications/Careers in the Justice System|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230184022/http://www.justice.gov.za/brochure/careers-in-justice.html|archive-date=2014-12-30}}</ref>