​TYPES OF ADVOCATES
In terms of the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 (Effective from 1 November 2018) there are two types of Practicing Advocate of the High Court of South Africa
ADVOCATES WITH TRUST ACCOUNTS
These advocates are permitted to take instructions directly from the public, unlike normal referral advocates. They have obtained additional qualifications that enable them to hold and manage trust accounts. With these trust accounts, these advocates can directly accept deposits and payments from clients. In contrast, referral advocates do not possess trust accounts and, therefore, are not authorized to directly receive payments or instructions from clients and must normally be instructed by an attorney.
REFERRAL ADVOCATE
These advocates are not allowed to take any legal briefs or payments from members of the public and they must be briefed by an Attorney or specific institutions provided for in the Act.