Legal basis: "Article 58 of the Civil Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) and the State, the parties and legal representatives may entrust one or two persons as agents ad litem. The following persons may be entrusted as agents ad litem:
(1) lawyers and grassroots legal service workers;
(2) close relatives or staff members of the parties concerned;
(3) the community, unit and relevant social organizations recommended by citizens where the parties are located.
Article 33 of the Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China stipulates that a criminal suspect or defendant may entrust one or two persons as defenders in addition to exercising the right of defense.
The following persons can be appointed as defenders:
(1) lawyers;
(2) a person recommended by a people's organization or the unit where the criminal suspect or defendant works;
(3) guardians, relatives and friends of criminal suspects and defendants.
A person who is executing a penalty or who is deprived or restricted of personal freedom according to law may not act as a defender.
A person who has been dismissed from public office or whose lawyer's practice certificate or notary's practice certificate has been revoked may not act as a defender, except the guardian or near relative of the criminal suspect or defendant.