What is The Difference Between Advocate, Lawyer, Counsel, and Barrister?

Lawyer is a general term for anyone trained in law.

An advocate is a lawyer who is registered with a State Bar Council under the Advocates Act of 1961 and has the authority to represent clients in court.

Counsel typically refers to an advocate who represents a party in a specific case, and these terms are often used interchangeably.

Barrister is a term used in the UK and some Commonwealth countries for lawyers who specialise in court advocacy. In India, the term "barrister" specifically refers to individuals who have received legal education in the UK.

Post-independence, India only uses the term advocate in court practice.