The difference between lawyers and general defenders is mainly the rights they enjoy in the process of litigation, as follows:
1, the right to meet and communicate
Lawyer: unrestricted;
General Counsel: Permission from the People's Procuratorate is required.
2. Right to investigate and collect evidence
Lawyer: Restrict rights;
Specific content
(1) With the consent of witnesses or other relevant units and individuals, defense lawyers may collect materials related to this case from them, or apply to the people's procuratorate or the people's court for collecting and obtaining evidence.
(2) With the permission of the people's procuratorate or the people's court, and with the consent of the victim or his close relatives or witnesses provided by the victim, the defense lawyer may collect materials related to the case from them.
Other defenders: No such right.
Legal basis:
Article 37 of the Criminal Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) * * * Defence lawyers may, with the consent of witnesses or other relevant units and individuals, collect materials related to the case from them, apply to the people's procuratorate or the people's court to collect and obtain evidence, or apply to the people's court to notify witnesses to testify in court. With the permission of the people's procuratorate or the people's court, and with the consent of the victim or his close relatives or witnesses provided by the victim, the defense lawyer may collect materials related to the case from them. Defenders with general status do not enjoy the latter two rights stipulated in the law.