Judge vs. Advocate — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 3, 2024
A judge impartially presides over legal proceedings and makes decisions based on law, while an advocate represents and argues on behalf of a client's interests.
Difference Between Judge and Advocate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A judge is a neutral arbiter in the courtroom, tasked with ensuring that legal proceedings are fair and just, according to the law. They interpret and apply laws, make rulings on evidence, and often decide the outcome of cases. On the other hand, an advocate, also known as a lawyer or attorney in various jurisdictions, represents clients in legal matters. Advocates advise their clients on legal issues, prepare legal documents, and argue cases in court to best represent their client's interests.
Judges are expected to be impartial, basing their decisions solely on the evidence presented and the applicable law, without any personal bias or influence. Unlike judges, advocates have a duty to zealously represent their clients within the bounds of the law, even if it involves presenting only one side of an argument.
Judges hold a position of authority in the courtroom and are responsible for maintaining decorum, making procedural decisions, and, in some cases, determining penalties or judgements. Their role requires a comprehensive understanding of the law, ethical integrity, and the ability to assess evidence and legal arguments critically. Whereas advocates work within the adversarial legal system to advocate on behalf of their clients. They must be persuasive, knowledgeable about legal precedents and statutes, and skilled in legal strategy and argumentation.
The training and career paths of judges and advocates also differ. Typically, judges are experienced advocates who are appointed or elected to their positions after years of legal practice. This background provides them with the necessary legal expertise and understanding of courtroom dynamics.
Comparison Chart
Role
Presides over court proceedings
Represents and defends clients’ interests
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Objective
Ensure fair, impartial application of the law
Advocate for the client’s best interest
Decision-making
Makes legal rulings based on evidence and law
Influences decisions through argument and evidence
Representation
Does not represent parties
Represents individuals, businesses, or the state
Authority
Has authority to make legal judgments
Does not have decision-making authority in court
Compare with Definitions
Judge
A public official appointed to decide cases in a court of law.
The judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible.
Advocate
Someone who supports or promotes the interests of a cause or group.
He's been a staunch advocate for human rights.
Judge
A person who makes informed judgments about contests or competitions.
She served as a judge at the baking competition.
Advocate
An advisor in legal matters.
The advocate advised her client to settle the case out of court.
Judge
An official who oversees the legal process in the courts.
The judge entered the courtroom to begin the proceedings.
Advocate
A representative in legal proceedings.
The advocate met with the client to discuss the case strategy.
Judge
A decision-maker in legal contexts.
The judge's decision was final and binding.
Advocate
A lawyer who pleads cases in court.
The advocate presented a compelling argument for her client's innocence.
Judge
Someone who forms an opinion or conclusion about something.
As a judge of character, he rarely misjudges his friends.
Advocate
A person who argues for the defense of someone in a court of law.
As her advocate, he prepared a strong defense.
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as a part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions.
Advocate
An advocate is a professional in the field of law. Different countries' legal systems use the term with somewhat differing meanings.
Judge
To form an opinion or estimation of after careful consideration
Judge heights.
Judging character.
Advocate
To speak, plead, or argue in favor of
Advocate a vegan diet.
Judge
(Law) To hear and decide on in a court of law
Judge a case.
Advocate
Usage Problem To act as an advocate
Advocated for her patients.
Advocated for more stringent crime laws.
Judge
To pass sentence on; condemn.
Advocate
One that argues for a cause; a supporter or defender
An advocate of civil rights.
Judge
To act as one appointed to decide the winners of
Judge an essay contest.
Advocate
One that pleads in another's behalf; an intercessor
Advocates for abused children and spouses.
Judge
To determine or declare after consideration or deliberation
Most people judged him negligent in performing his duties as a parent.
Advocate
A lawyer.
Judge
(Informal) To have as an opinion or assumption; suppose
I judge you're right.
Advocate
Someone whose job is to speak for someone's case in a court of law; a counsel.
Judge
(Bible) To govern; rule. Used of an ancient Israelite leader.
Advocate
Anyone who argues the case of another; an intercessor.
Judge
To form an opinion or evaluation.
Advocate
A person who speaks in support of something, or someone.
Judge
To act or decide as a judge.
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.
Judge
One who makes estimates as to worth, quality, or fitness
A good judge of used cars.
A poor judge of character.
Advocate
(transitive) To plead in favour of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.
Judge
(Law) A public official who hears and decides cases brought in court.
Advocate
(transitive) To encourage support for something.
I like trees, but I do not advocate living in them.
Judge
(Law) A public official who hears and decides cases or matters in a forum other than a court, such as an administrative proceeding.
Advocate
To engage in advocacy.
We have been advocating for changes in immigration law.
Judge
One appointed to decide the winners of a contest or competition.
Advocate
To appeal from an inferior court to the Court of Session.
Judge
A leader of the Israelites during a period of about 400 years between the death of Joshua and the accession of Saul.
Advocate
To call a case before itself for decision.
Judge
Judges (used with a sing. verb) See Table at Bible.
Advocate
One who pleads the cause of another. Specifically: One who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court; a counselor.
Judge
A public official whose duty it is to administer the law, especially by presiding over trials and rendering judgments; a justice.
Advocate
One who defends, vindicates, or espouses any cause by argument; a pleader; as, an advocate of free trade, an advocate of truth.
Judge
A person who decides the fate of someone or something that has been called into question.
Advocate
Christ, considered as an intercessor.
We have an Advocate with the Father.
Judge
A person officiating at a sports event, a contest, or similar.
At a boxing match, the decision of the judges is final.
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.
Judge
A person who evaluates something or forms an opinion.
She is a good judge of wine.
They say he is a poor judge of character considering all the unreliable friends he has made.
Advocate
To act as advocate.
Judge
A shophet, a temporary leader appointed in times of crisis in ancient Israel.
Advocate
A person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
Judge
(transitive) To sit in judgment on; to pass sentence on (a person or matter).
A higher power will judge you after you are dead.
Advocate
A lawyer who pleads cases in court
Judge
(intransitive) To sit in judgment, to act as judge.
Justices in this country judge without appeal.
Advocate
Push for something;
The travel agent recommended strongly that we not travel on Thanksgiving Day
Judge
(transitive) To judicially rule or determine.
Advocate
Speak, plead, or argue in favour of;
The doctor advocated a smoking ban in the entire house
Judge
To sentence to punishment, to judicially condemn.
He was judged to die for his crimes.
Judge
To award judicially; to adjudge.
Judge
(transitive) To form an opinion on; to appraise.
I judge a man’s character by the cut of his suit.
Judge
To constitute a fitting appraisal or criterion of; to provide a basis for forming an opinion on.
Judge
(intransitive) To arbitrate; to pass opinion on something, especially to settle a dispute etc.
We cannot both be right: you must judge between us.
Judge
(transitive) To have as an opinion; to consider, suppose.
I judge it safe to leave the house once again.
Judge
(ambitransitive) To form an opinion; to infer.
I judge from the sky that it might rain later.
Judge
(ambitransitive) To criticize or label another person or thing.
Judge
(ambitransitive) To govern as biblical judge or shophet (over some jurisdiction).
Judge
A public officer who is invested with authority to hear and determine litigated causes, and to administer justice between parties in courts held for that purpose.
The parts of a judge in hearing are four: to direct the evidence; to moderate length, repetition, or impertinency of speech; to recapitulate, select, and collate the material points of that which hath been said; and to give the rule or sentence.
Judge
One who has skill, knowledge, or experience, sufficient to decide on the merits of a question, or on the quality or value of anything; one who discerns properties or relations with skill and readiness; a connoisseur; an expert; a critic.
A man who is no judge of law may be a good judge of poetry, or eloquence, or of the merits of a painting.
Judge
A person appointed to decide in a trial of skill, speed, etc., between two or more parties; an umpire; as, a judge in a horse race.
Judge
One of the supreme magistrates, with both civil and military powers, who governed Israel for more than four hundred years.
Judge
The title of the seventh book of the Old Testament; the Book of Judges.
Judge
To hear and determine, as in causes on trial; to decide as a judge; to give judgment; to pass sentence.
The Lord judge between thee and me.
Father, who art judgeOf all things made, and judgest only right!
Judge
To compare facts or ideas, and perceive their relations and attributes, and thus distinguish truth from falsehood; to determine; to discern; to distinguish; to form an opinion about.
Judge not according to the appearance.
She is wise if I can judge of her.
Judge
To hear and determine by authority, as a case before a court, or a controversy between two parties.
Judge
To examine and pass sentence on; to try; to doom.
God shall judge the righteous and the wicked.
To bring my whole cause 'fore his holiness,And to be judged by him.
Judge
To arrogate judicial authority over; to sit in judgment upon; to be censorious toward.
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Judge
To determine upon or deliberation; to esteem; to think; to reckon.
If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord.
Judge
To exercise the functions of a magistrate over; to govern.
Make us a king to judge us.
Judge
A public official authorized to decide questions bought before a court of justice
Judge
An authority who is able to estimate worth or quality
Judge
Determine the result of (a competition)
Judge
Form an opinion of or pass judgment on;
I cannot judge some works of modern art
Judge
Judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time);
I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds
Judge
Pronounce judgment on;
They labeled him unfit to work here
Judge
Put on trial or hear a case and sit as the judge at the trial of;
The football star was tried for the murder of his wife
The judge tried both father and son in separate trials
Common Curiosities
What is the difference between an advocate and a lawyer?
"Advocate" is a term used in some jurisdictions for a lawyer who represents clients in court, but generally, the terms are interchangeable.
Do judges represent clients?
No, judges do not represent clients; they serve as impartial decision-makers in legal proceedings.
What is the primary role of a judge?
The primary role of a judge is to preside over court proceedings, making decisions based on law, and ensure justice is served fairly.
What qualifications are needed to become an advocate?
To become an advocate, one usually needs a law degree and must pass a bar examination or its equivalent in their jurisdiction.
Can an advocate become a judge?
Yes, many judges are former advocates with years of legal practice experience before being appointed or elected as judges.
How do judges maintain impartiality?
Judges follow strict ethical guidelines and legal standards to remain unbiased and base decisions solely on evidence and law.
What happens if a judge shows bias in a case?
If a judge shows bias, parties in the case can request the judge's recusal, and the judge may be subject to disciplinary action.
Is it mandatory for a judge to have legal experience?
Yes, judges typically are required to have extensive legal experience and a deep understanding of the law.
Do advocates have to follow a code of ethics?
Yes, advocates must adhere to professional and ethical standards, including confidentiality and loyalty to their clients.
Can an advocate make legal rulings?
No, advocates cannot make legal rulings; they argue cases on behalf of their clients, while judges make the rulings.
What role do advocates play outside of courtrooms?
Advocates also offer legal advice, draft legal documents, and negotiate settlements outside of courtrooms.
Why is the advocate's role critical in the legal system?
Advocates are essential for presenting cases, defending clients’ rights, and ensuring everyone has access to legal representation, which is foundational for justice.
Can anyone be a judge?
Not everyone can be a judge; candidates typically must have a legal background, significant experience, and meet specific qualifications set by their jurisdiction.
Are advocates allowed to refuse cases?
Yes, advocates can refuse cases, except in jurisdictions where the legal system operates on the principle of "cab-rank rule," which obligates them to accept any case within their area of expertise.
Can judges practice law while serving on the bench?
No, judges are prohibited from practicing law to maintain impartiality and prevent conflicts of interest.
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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
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
