American Bar

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Country Name

Legal descriptions

PAKISTAN

The term for a lawyer in Pakistan is Advocate Simpliciter or Advocate, depending upon level of experience. Partnerships are permitted. The requirements for admission to practice are a non-law university degree and an LL.B., followed by a pupillage of six months under an Advocate of at least ten years' experience and successful completion of oral and written examinations before the Board of the local Provincial Bar Council. The newly admitted Advocate Simpliciter may appear only before courts up to the District Court level. After two years, the Advocate Simpliciter may apply for admission as an Advocate of the High Court and after ten more years may apply for admission as Advocate of the Supreme Court. The title of Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court may be conferred to an Advocate of the Supreme Court having good standing at the bar after having his knowledge, ability and experience judged worthy of being granted the said status. The title Advocate-on-Record is given to one who instructs Advocates in the Supreme Court and whose function is similar to that of an English Solicitor. Foreign lawyers may be admitted as Advocates after residing in Pakistan for no less than one year before applying for admission.

The Notary Public in Pakistan must be a practicing Advocate and is appointed by one of the provincial governments. A Notary Public draws up, authenticates and preserves documents and administers oaths. The official languages of the courts are Urdu and English.