Legal titles can sometimes be very confusing. Some at times carry different meaning but others are used interchangeably. This blog will try to explain what most of the legal titles mean.
Table of Contents
1. In-house counsel
Lawyers employed with a company, firm or organization. They offer legal advice concerning a certain case or subject matter, but they don’t represent their employer in litigation. Thus they are not allowed bar membership at the state level under Advocates Act 1961.
2. Private Law Practitioner
A lawyer who is not employed by a company, firm, or organization but works for himself in his private legal practice. He can represent clients directly before different courts on his own. An example of Private Law Practitioner would be Advocate Ajay Sharma who practices law at the Supreme Court of India and the Bombay high court.
3. Public prosecutor
A public prosecutor is a person who is appointed by the state government or the central government for conducting prosecution, appeal or any other proceeding as the government may require from time to time. There’s a set of established rules for appointment of public prosecutor as per the provisions of section 24 CRPC. A minimum of seven year practice as an advocate is one of the eligibility criteria for being appointed a public prosecutor.
4. Judge
A judge is a public officer appointed to hear both sides and pronounce judgement or order as per the provisions of law. His main job is to decide questions brought before the court. A judge can also be said to be someone who is appointed by the government to as a public official vested with the authority to hear, determine, and preside over legal matters brought in a court of law.
Read: What’s the difference between a Lawyer and an Advocate?
6. Attorney
In American law, an Attorney is a lawyer who represents clients in lower courts and advocates their cases before higher appellate courts. An “attorney” can be appointed by the court if the defendant cannot afford one or will otherwise not have representation. Their duties are much different from those of a criminal defense attorney which we will discuss later because they do not accompany the criminal to court at all times but rather give legal advice from behind the bar or from their office. Thus it does not mean that any kind of lawyer practicing in Court is called an Attorney in America as India uses advocate as well as Lawyer interchangeably to define a person who practices law anywhere before Indian Supreme Court, New York court, Bombay High court, Delhi court etc.
7. Prosecutor
An officer of the government who represents it in criminal prosecutions against individuals or corporations or agencies of the government. Their duties are completely different from that of a Public Prosecutor who works for Government on its own behalf unlike an Attorney who is appointed by the Court taking service from his clients directly to advocate their cases at Court.
8. Consultant
A lawyer hired by companies, firms etc., who assist them with contract negotiations, drafting documents like sales agreements, employment contracts etc., but do not appear in court or give legal advice to clients directly.
9. Legal counsel
Lawyers who take up cases of other lawyers or companies or provide them with legal advice after regular charges are deducted from their fees.
10.Paralegal(Legal assistant)
A person hired by a lawyer, law firm etc., to conduct research, assist office personnel with filing and e-filing papers for cases, drafting documents like complaints, briefs etc., which will be filed before Court for the Lawyer appearing on behalf of his client BUT not argue any case if they are representing someone as paralegals cannot cross examine prosecution witnesses in Sessions / High Courts/Appellate courts OR may be given the opportunity only when the Judge allows him/her to question witnesses or trial court gives special permission to do so.
11. Law clerk
A person employed by a judge, who does not appear in court , but rather assists the judge with research and clerical work specific to that case .
12. Notary Public
A Notary is a Public Officer appointed by the Central Government for the entire country of India or any part of it, or by the State Government (for the entire state or any part of it), as the case may be. A Notary is a person who has the authority to execute deeds and other legal documents. Notaries are legal specialists who are publicly authorised to draught up or certify contracts or other comparable papers, challenge bills of exchange, and perform other important functions.
13. Conveyancer
A lawyer or notary public who specializes in preparing legal instruments that transfer ownership of real estate or personal property (such as motor vehicles, stocks , bonds etc.) from one owner to another . Also known as title examiner, underwriter , abstractor.
14. Commissary
Someone appointed by the court to manage the financial affairs of someone who can’t do it themselves because they are too young or incapacitated for some reason
15. Conciliator
A person who helps people resolve personal disputes by bringing them together and trying to help them agree on a solution
Passionate about using the law to make a difference in people’s lives. An Advocate by profession.
