Besides a thorough acquaintance with jurisprudence, both canonical and civil, they must also be versed in moral and dogmatic theology, and in ecclesiastical and secular history.
Frequent references to the councils and canons of the church and to the papal decrees oblige them to acquire a deep and varied erudition which embraces various languages, ancient and modern.
Dealing as he does directly with points of law and not with the question of establishing facts, he is freed from the temptation of suborning false witnesses or distorting testimony.
Again, a Roman advocate pleads always before learned judges, so he cannot appeal to the passions or indulge in theatrical displays of eloquence, as if he had to deal with a jury.
A Pious Society of Advocates exists at Rome whose officers divide the cases of the poor among the members.