They also acted as leader and spokesman of the Holland deputies in the States-General, and negotiated with foreign ambassadors.
The office started in the late 15th century and ended in 1630, following the death Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, when the title was renamed into Grand Pensionary.
A decision of the Estates was made by a summarizing of all the statements of the other delegates by the Lands' Advocate.
[citation needed] For the majority of its existence, Lands' Advocates would serve for life, though this would change to a five year term when the position was renamed.
[2] In particular, the final Advocate, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, who held the position from 1586 to 1619, acquired an almost complete control over every department of administration.