Advocate

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Etymology

Middle English advocat, from Anglo-French, from Latin advocatus, from past participle of advocare to summon, from ad- + vocare to call, from voc-, vox voice

Definitions

  • 1 : one that pleads the cause of another; specifically : one that pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court
  • 2 : one that defends or maintains a cause or proposal
  • 3 : one that supports or promotes the interests of another

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Description

An advocate is someone who speaks on behalf of another person, especially in a legal context. It is used primarily in reference to the system of Scots law, Anglo-Dutch law, Scandinavian and Israeli law, and also to refer to the fused legal professions in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man. Implicit in the concept is the notion that the represented lacks the knowledge, skill, ability, or standing to speak for themselves. The broad equivalent in many English law-based jurisdictions is "barrister".