People have always engaged experts in the law to advise them on their rights and interests and represent them in legal proceedings. There are two distinct categories of lawyers - advocates or barristers and solicitors. There is virtually little difference in the tertiary qualifications for an advocate and a solicitor so lawyers practise in both. Advocates work mainly in the courts and tribunals where they present evidence, make submissions and cross-examine witnesses on behalf of their clients. They represent the parties in criminal trials, handle domestic disputes in the family court and deal with civil claims for damages and compensation.
Solicitors give legal advice, much of it involves financial matters.
For instance, they draft wills, administer the estate of a deceased person, buy, sell or rent property on behalf of clients, prepare tax returns, raise or secure loans and make contracts. They give professional advice on many other things as well, particularly those which act upon an individual's fundamental rights under the law. Civil law outlines in detail private rights and obligations from one citizen to another. The primary objective of civil law is to redress unrighteousness. There is no punitive action involved.