The Lawyers Law stipulates that lawyers who have served as judges and prosecutors shall not serve as agents ad litem or defenders within two years after leaving office, and lawyers who are members of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress shall not serve as agents ad litem or defenders during their term of office. According to the provisions of this article, "a civil servant may not concurrently serve as a practicing lawyer", and the degree of restriction is that a civil servant may not practice as a lawyer during his tenure. However, except for public officials who have served as judges and prosecutors, there is no restriction that civil servants in other occupations cannot be lawyers for many years after leaving office. In other words, a civil servant can be a full-time practicing lawyer if he leaves the civil service and meets the conditions stipulated in the Lawyers Law. A civil servant who has left the civil service and has not been expelled from public office may apply for practicing as a lawyer.
According to the Civil Servant Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Lawyers Law of People's Republic of China (PRC), civil servants "shall not engage in or participate in profit-making activities, hold positions in enterprises or other profit-making organizations" and "shall not hold positions as practicing lawyers". If a civil servant with the qualification of lawyer or arbitrator continues to engage in lawyer occupation or arbitration, he may apply and organize the personnel department to adjust his work unit. Anyone who continues to engage in profit-making activities such as practicing lawyers and arbitration in violation of these regulations and fails to make corrections after education will be severely dealt with according to the Civil Service Law and relevant regulations.