Is it illegal for lawyers to represent for free?

Legal analysis: According to the relevant laws of our country, lawyers in legal aid centers are allowed to represent cases free of charge, but they are not allowed to charge fees for representing cases and should be punished accordingly.

Legal basis: Article 26 of the Regulations on Legal Aid: In any of the following circumstances, legal aid institutions and their staff members shall be punished according to law: (1) providing legal aid to those who do not meet the conditions for legal aid, or refusing to provide legal aid to those who meet the conditions for legal aid; (two) handling legal aid cases to collect property; (three) engaged in paid legal services; (four) embezzlement and misappropriation of legal aid funds. The property collected in handling legal aid cases shall be ordered to be returned by the judicial administrative department; The illegal income from engaging in paid legal services shall be confiscated by the judicial administrative department; Those who embezzle, privately divide or misappropriate legal aid funds shall be ordered to recover by the judicial administrative department. If the circumstances are serious enough to constitute a crime, criminal responsibility shall be investigated according to law.