Advokatuur

Advokatuur is the collective term for the profession of advocates, i.e., lawyers who are authorized to practice and to represent clients in legal matters. Members of the advokatuur provide a range of services, including legal advice, drafting and negotiating contracts and pleadings, and representing clients in courts and other tribunals. Many practitioners specialise in areas such as civil or criminal litigation, corporate and commercial law, tax, intellectual property, or family law, but all share core duties of analytical reasoning, advocacy, and client representation.

The profession is generally regulated by national or regional bar associations, such as the Orde van Advocaten in the Netherlands or the Ordre des Avocats in other jurisdictions. These bodies set professional standards, ethics, and continuing education requirements; they also administer admission to the profession and oversee disciplinary matters. To join the advokatuur, a person typically completes a university law degree, undertakes a period of supervised practice or training, and passes a professional assessment required by the bar. After admission, advocates are bound by codes of conduct and must uphold client confidentiality and independence in representing clients.

Historically, advocacy has been a distinct professional group within the legal system since the Middle Ages, evolving from earlier notarial and clerical functions into a specialized service dedicated to legal representation and advice. Today the advokatuur plays a central role in ensuring access to justice, upholding the rule of law, and facilitating the functioning of courts and legal markets by providing skilled advocacy and legal services to individuals and organizations.