What is the nature of work ?

Equipped with a law degree and having completed the mandatory articleship, a person can become either an advocate or a solicitor. There is a difference between the two. An advocate pleads in court and is actively involved in litigation. He decides what legislation and what precedents are relevant in a particular case. Whereas, a solicitor offers legal advice to clients on a wide range of subjects, from personal to business matters. In the event of a case going to court, the solicitor briefs and advises the advocate who takes up the case on behalf of the client. If one decides to become an advocate, he begins as a junior assistant to an advocate, performing routine jobs like filing, researching, securing adjournments and, of course, attending court with the senior. He gradually graduates to working on briefs and drafting plaints. After several years of drafting experience, he begins to participate actively in court. In the case of the option to become a solicitor, one may join as a junior in a solicitor’s firm during the articleship, or while doing the law course. Here too, the junior job begins at routine runs like studying law cases, looking up authorities from time to time and filing suits and notices. Depending upon how big or small the solicitor’s firm is, the junior may gain valuable experience in a wide range of matters, from labour laws and industrial disputes to taxation, under the guidance of his seniors. Here too, after several years of experience, he may raise to the level of a senior and may eventually be invited to join as one of the partners of the firm.