Can non-lawyer defenders read papers?

Legal analysis: non-lawyer defenders can read papers, but they need the permission of the people's court and the people's procuratorate.

Legal basis: Article 40 of the Criminal Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC). From the date when the people's procuratorate examines and files the case, the defense lawyer may consult, extract and copy the case file. Other defenders may also consult, extract and copy the above materials with the permission of the people's court or the people's procuratorate.