The legal aid center is the official name of the government's legal aid agency. The judicial administrative departments of the people's governments at the municipal, districted, and county levels determine the legal aid agencies within their respective administrative regions as needed. It is established by the state specifically for vulnerable groups who need legal services but are unable to hire a lawyer due to financial difficulties, and for specific people who need legal aid but do not hire a lawyer (such as those who may be sentenced to life imprisonment or death in criminal cases, those who have not yet hired a lawyer). Adult prisoners, etc.) are legal service agencies that provide free legal services. ). The purpose of establishing the Legal Aid Center is to protect human rights and maintain judicial fairness and balance. Legal aid centers (established by the judicial department) are legal practice institutions for lawyers other than law firms.
The difference between lawyers in legal aid centers and lawyers in law firms is that the former enjoy state wages and provide free legal services to legal aid recipients, while the latter defend themselves and provide paid legal services to the society. Lawyers in legal aid centers are not allowed to handle non-aid cases, provide paid legal services to the society, or collect money or goods from aid recipients. The former’s registered lawyer certificate is called “lawyer work certificate”, and the latter’s registration certificate is called “lawyer practicing certificate”.
Legal Basis
Legal Aid Regulations of the People's Republic of China
Article 4 The judicial administrative department of the State Council supervises and manages legal aid work nationwide. The judicial administrative departments of local people's governments at or above the county level supervise and manage legal aid work within their respective administrative regions.
The All-China Lawyers Association and local lawyers associations shall assist in the legal aid work implemented in accordance with these regulations in accordance with the articles of association of the lawyers association. Article 16 If the applicant is a person without capacity for civil conduct or a person with limited capacity for civil conduct, his legal representative shall apply on his behalf.
In civil litigation between a person without capacity for civil conduct or a person with limited capacity for civil conduct and his or her legal representative, or if legal aid is required due to other disputes over interests, other legal representatives who have no interest in the dispute shall act on their behalf. Make an application.