A lawyer provides legal aid and legal advice and acts for clients in court cases. Sometimes parties are required to be represented by a lawyer in proceedings. This is called legal representation.

Lawyers must complete the professional training of the Netherlands Bar Association in addition to studying law. Lawyers are sworn in the district where they hold office. Lawyers are governed by the Counsel Act. A person who has studied law but is not sworn in as a lawyer is called a law graduate.

Lawyers must observe professional confidentiality. They may not share The portion of registered capital of a private or public limited company
» Meer over share share confidential information about their clients -without the consent of the person concerned- with third parties. This professional confidentiality also prevents a lawyer from being required to testify against his (former) client in (criminal) proceedings.

In proceedings, a lawyer is also referred to as counsel.