According to the Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) on Lawyers (revised 20 17), a lawyer refers to a practitioner who has obtained a lawyer's practice certificate according to law, accepted entrustment or assignment, and provided legal services to clients. A person who has not obtained a lawyer's practice certificate may not engage in legal services in the name of a lawyer; Unless otherwise provided by law, they shall not engage in litigation agency or defense business.
However, even if there is no lawyer's qualification certificate, in court cases involving relatives and friends, if there are people among relatives and friends who know more about relevant laws, they can use their status as relatives and friends to defend the defendant. However, this is not a practicing lawyer, but a relative.