churches as well as to nominate or present to them. But when the patrons grew negli- gent of their duty or were not of ability or interest in the courts of justice, then the religious began to retain law advocates, to solicit and prosecute their causes. Spelm.; Jacob, Law Dict. A person admitted by the Archbishop of Canterbury to practise in the court of arches in the same manner as barrister in the com- mon law courts. Rap. and Law. Law Dict. ADVOCATI (Lat.). In Roman Law. Patrons; pleaders; speakers. Originally the management of suits at law was undertaken by the patronus for his cliens as a matter of duty arising out of their reciprocal relation. Afterwards it became a profession, and the relation, though a peculiarly confidential one while it lasted, was but temporary, ending with the suit. The profession was governed by very stringent rules: a limited number only were enrolled and allowed to practise in the higher courts-one hundred and fifty before the præfectus prætorio; Dig. 8, 11; Code 2, 7; fifty before the præf. aug. and dux Ægypticus at Alexandria; Dig. 8, 13; etc., etc. The enrolled advocates were called advocati ordinarii. Those not en- rolled were called adv. supernumerarii or extraordinarii, and were allowed to practise in the inferior courts; Dig. 8, 13. From their ranks vacancies in the list of ordinarii were filled; Ibid. The ordinarii were either fiscales, who were appointed by the crown for the management of suits in which the imperial treasury was concerned, and who received a salary from the state; or privati whose business was confined to private causes. The advocati ordinarii were bound to lend their aid to every one applying to them, unless a just ground existed for a refusal; and they could be compelled to untertake the cause of a needy party; 1. 7, C. 2, 6. The supernumerarii were not thus obliged, but, having once undertaken a cause, were bound to prose- cute or defend it with diligence and fidelity. The client must be defended against every person, even the emperor, though the advocati fiscales could not undertake a cause against the fiscus without a special permission; 11. 1 et 2, C. 2,9; unless such cause was their own, or that of their parents, children, or ward; 1, 10, pr. C. 11, D. 3, 1. An advocate must have been at least seventeen years of age; 1. 1, § 8, D. 8, 1; he must not be blind or deaf; 1. 1, §§ 8 et 5, D. 8, 1; he must be of good repute, not convicted of an infamous act; 1. 1, § 8, D. 3,1; he could not be advocate and judge in the same cause; L. 6, pr. C. 2, 6; he could not even be a judge in a suit in which he had been engaged as advocate; 1. 17, D. 2, 1; 1. 14, C. 1, 51; nor after being appointed judge could he practise as advocate even in another court; 1. 14, pr. C. 1, 51; nor could he be a witness in the cause in which he wasacting as advocate; 1. ult. D. 22, 5; 22 Glück, Pand. p. 161, et seq. He was bound to bestow the utmost care and attention upon the cause, nihil studii reliquentes, quod sibi possibile est; 1. 14, § 1, C. 8, 1. He was liable to his client for damages caused in any way by his fault; 5 Glück, Pand. 110. If he had signed the concepit, he was responsible that it con- tained no matter punishable or improper; Boehmer, Cons. et Decis. t. ii. p. 1, resp. cviii. no. 5. He must clearly and correctly explain the law to his clients, and honestly warn them against transgression or neglect thereof. He must frankly inform them of the lawfulness or unlawfulness of their cause of action, and must be especially careful not to undertake a cause clearly un- just, or to let himself be used as an instru- ment of chicanery, malice, or other unlaw- ful action; 1. 6, §§ 8, 4, C. 2,6; 1. 18, § 9; L 14, § 1, C. 8, 1. In pleading, he must ab- stain from invectives against the judge, the opposite party or his advocate; 1. 6, § 1, С. 2,6. Should it become necessary or advan- tageous to mention unpleasant truths, this must be done with the utmost forbearance, and in the most moderate language; 5 Glück,