 In general, advocates (also called 'counsel') are 'briefed' by attorneys when a specialist skill in court-based litigation, or in research into the law is required; advocates have no direct contact with clients and are said to be in a 'referral' profession.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 lower courts.