Order of the Ministry of Justice

(No. 112)

The Administrative Measures for the Practice of Law by Lawyers, which were adopted at the executive meeting of the Ministry of Justice on May 28, 2008, are hereby promulgated, and shall be implemented on the day of promulgation.

Justice Minister Wu Aiying

July 18, 2008

Administrative Measures for the Practice of Law by Lawyers

司法部令
（第112号）

（相关资料: 部门规章1篇 地方法规1篇）
　　《律师执业管理办法》已经2008年5月28日司法部部务会议审议通过，现予发布，自发布之日起施行。

部长 吴爱英

二〇〇八年七月十八日

律师执业管理办法

Chapter I General Provisions

第一章　总则

Article 1 To regulate the licensing for practice of law by lawyers, safeguard the lawful practice of law by lawyers, and strengthen the supervision and administration of the practice of law by lawyers, these Measures are formulated in accordance with the provisions of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Lawyers (hereinafter referred to as the “Lawyers Law”) and other relevant laws and regulations.

　　第一条　为了规范律师执业许可，保障律师依法执业，加强对律师执业行为的监督和管理，根据《中华人民共和国律师法》（以下简称《律师法》）和其他有关法律、法规的规定，制定本办法。

Article 2 A lawyer refers to a practitioner who has acquired a lawyer’s practicing certificate according to law and accepts an authorization or appointment to provide legal services for a client.

　　第二条　律师是指依法取得律师执业证书，接受委托或者指定，为当事人提供法律服务的执业人员。

Article 3 A lawyer shall maintain the legal rights and interests of a client, maintain the correct enforcement of law, and maintain the social fairness and justice, through the practice of law.

　　第三条　律师通过执业活动，应当维护当事人合法权益，维护法律正确实施，维护社会公平和正义。

Article 4 The lawful practice of law by a lawyer shall be protected by law, and no organization or individual shall infringe upon the legal rights and interests of a lawyer.

The justice administrative organs and the lawyers’ associations shall protect the practicing rights of lawyers according to law.

　　第四条　律师依法执业受法律保护，任何组织和个人不得侵害律师的合法权益。

　　司法行政机关和律师协会应当依法维护律师的执业权利。

Article 5 The justice administrative organs shall supervise and provide guidance for the practice of law by lawyers in accordance with the Lawyers Law and these Measures.

The lawyers’ associations shall conduct professional self-regulation of the practice of law by lawyers in accordance with the Lawyers Law, bylaws of lawyers’ associations and professional rules.

　　第五条　司法行政机关依照《律师法》和本办法的规定对律师执业进行监督、指导。

　　律师协会依照《律师法》、协会章程和行业规范对律师执业实行行业自律。

Chapter II Conditions for Practice of law by Lawyers

第二章　律师执业条件

Article 6 To apply for practicing law, an applicant shall satisfy the following conditions:

(1) Upholding the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China;

(2) Passing the uniform national judicial examination and acquiring the legal profession qualification certificate;

(3) Completing one-year internship at a law firm; and

(4) Having good character and conduct.

In the application for practicing law, a certificate of lawyer qualification acquired before the adoption of the uniform national judicial examination shall be equally authentic with a legal profession qualification certificate.

A person who enjoys the relevant preferences in respect of the conditions for signing up or passing the national uniform judicial examination and acquires the legal profession qualification certificate shall be subject to the relevant provisions on any territorial restriction on his application for practicing law.

A person applying for practicing law shall participate in the internship activities organized by a lawyers’ association according to the legal provisions, and pass the assessment conducted by the lawyers’ association.

　　第六条　申请律师执业，应当具备下列条件：

　　（一）拥护中华人民共和国宪法；

　　（二）通过国家统一司法考试取得法律职业资格证书；

　　（三）在律师事务所实习满一年；

　　（四）品行良好。

　　实行国家统一司法考试前取得的律师资格证书，在申请律师执业时，与法律职业资格证书具有同等效力。

　　享受国家统一司法考试有关报名条件、考试合格优惠措施，取得法律职业资格证书的，其申请律师执业的地域限制，按照有关规定办理。

　　申请律师执业的人员，应当按照规定参加律师协会组织的实习活动，并经律师协会考核合格。

（相关资料: 地方法规1篇）

Article 7 To apply for practicing law on a part-time basis, besides the conditions prescribed in Article 6 of these Measures, an applicant shall satisfy the following conditions:

(1) Being engaged in the legal education or research work in an institution of higher learning or research institute; and

(2) Acquiring the consent of his current employer.

　　第七条　申请兼职律师执业，除符合本办法第六条规定的条件外，还应当具备下列条件：

　　（一）在高等院校、科研机构中从事法学教育、研究工作；

　　（二）经所在单位同意。

（相关资料: 地方法规1篇）

Article 8 To apply for practicing law on a special permission basis, an applicant shall satisfy the conditions prescribed by the Lawyers Law and the relevant regulations of the State Council.

　　第八条　申请特许律师执业，应当符合《律师法》和国务院有关条例规定的条件。

（相关资料: 地方法规1篇）

Article 9 A person who is under any of the following circumstances shall not practice law as a lawyer:

(1) Having no or limited capacity in civil conduct;

(2) Having a record of criminal punishment, except for a negligent crime; or

(3) Having been expelled from a public office or subject to the revocation of his lawyer’s practicing certificate.

　　第九条　有下列情形之一的人员，不得从事律师职业：

　　（一）无民事行为能力或者限制民事行为能力的；

　　（二）受过刑事处罚的，但过失犯罪的除外；

　　（三）被开除公职或者被吊销律师执业证书的。
（相关资料: 地方法规1篇）

Chapter III Licensing Procedures for Practice of Law by Lawyers

第三章　律师执业许可程序

Article 10 In the licensing for practice of law by lawyers, the justice administrative organ of a districted city or a district (county) of a municipality directly under the Central Government shall be responsible to accept an application for practicing law, conduct the preliminary examination, and report it to the justice administrative organ of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government for examination and approval, which shall make a decision on approval or disapproval of practice of law.

　　第十条　律师执业许可，由设区的市级或者直辖市的区（县）司法行政机关受理执业申请并进行初审，报省、自治区、直辖市司法行政机关审核，作出是否准予执业的决定。

（相关资料: 地方法规1篇）

Article 11 To apply for practicing law, an applicant shall submit the following materials to the justice administrative organ of a districted city or a district (county) of a municipality directly under the Central Government:

(1) Application form for the practice of law;

(2) Legal profession qualification certificate or lawyer qualification certificate;

(3) Document issued by a lawyers’ association on the applicant’s pass of the internship assessment;

(4) Identification certificate of the applicant; and

(5) Certificate issued by a law firm on agreeing to accept the applicant.

When applying for the practice licensing, the applicant shall truthfully fill in the Registration Form for an Application for Practicing Law.

　　第十一条　申请律师执业，应当向设区的市级或者直辖市的区（县）司法行政机关提交下列材料：

　　（一）执业申请书；

　　（二）法律职业资格证书或者律师资格证书；

　　（三）律师协会出具的申请人实习考核合格的材料；

　　（四）申请人的身份证明；

　　（五）律师事务所出具的同意接收申请人的证明。

　　申请执业许可时，申请人应当如实填报《律师执业申请登记表》。

（相关资料: 地方法规1篇）

Article 12 To apply for practicing law on a part-time basis, besides the relevant materials submitted according to Article 11 of these Measures, an applicant shall submit the following materials:

(1) Statement of experiences and evidential materials on experiences of being engaged in the legal education or research work in an institution of higher learning or research institute; and

(2) Certificate of consent of the applicant’s current employer to the applicant’s practice law on a part-time basis.

　　第十二条　申请兼职律师执业，除按照本办法第十一条的规定提交有关材料外，还应当提交下列材料：

　　（一）在高等院校、科研机构从事法学教育、研究工作的经历及证明材料；

　　（二）所在单位同意申请人兼职律师执业的证明。

（相关资料: 地方法规1篇）

Article 13 The justice administrative organ of a districted city or a district (county) of a municipality directly under the Central Government shall handle an applicant’s application for practicing law as follows:

(1) Where the application materials are complete and consistent with the statutory form, the justice administrative organ shall accept the application;

(2) Where the application materials are incomplete or inconsistent with the statutory form, the justice administrative organ shall inform the applicant of all the contents to be added or redressed at one time on the spot or within five days from the day of receipt of the application materials; if the applicant has added or redressed the contents as required, the application shall be accepted; if the justice administrative organ fails to inform the applicant within the above time limit, the application shall be regarded as having been accepted from the date of receipt of the application materials; or

(3) Where any application matter obviously does not meet the statutory conditions, or the applicant refuses to add or redress or is incapable of adding or redressing the relevant material, the justice administrative organ shall reject the application, and give reasons for the rejection to the applicant in written form.

　　第十三条　设区的市级或者直辖市的区（县）司法行政机关对申请人提出的律师执业申请，应当根据下列情况分别作出处理：

　　（一）申请材料齐全、符合法定形式的，应当受理；

　　（二）申请材料不齐全或者不符合法定形式的，应当当场或者自收到申请材料之日起五日内一次告知申请人需要补正的全部内容。申请人按要求补正的，予以受理；逾期不告知的，自收到申请材料之日起即为受理。

　　（三）申请事项明显不符合法定条件或者申请人拒绝补正、无法补正有关材料的，不予受理，并向申请人书面说明理由。

Article 14 The justice administrative organ accepting an application shall complete the examination of the application materials within 20 days from the day of decision on acceptance.

During the examination, the justice administrative organ accepting the application may solicit opinions of the justice administrative organ at the county level at the place of application for practicing law; and if it is necessary to investigate or verify the relevant information, the justice administrative organ accepting the application may require the applicant to submit the relevant evidential material, or authorize the justice administrative organ at the county level to verify the relevant information.

Upon examination, the justice administrative organ accepting the application shall present its examination opinions on whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions and whether the submitted materials are authentic and complete, and submit its examination opinions and all application materials to the justice administrative organ of the province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government.

　　第十四条　受理申请的司法行政机关应当自决定受理之日起二十日内完成对申请材料的审查。

　　在审查过程中，可以征求申请执业地的县级司法行政机关的意见；对于需要调查核实有关情况的，可以要求申请人提供有关的证明材料，也可以委托县级司法行政机关进行核实。

　　经审查，应当对申请人是否符合法定条件、提交的材料是否真实齐全出具审查意见，并将审查意见和全部申请材料报送省、自治区、直辖市司法行政机关。

（相关资料: 地方法规1篇）

Article 15 The justice administrative organ of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government shall review an application for practicing law within ten days from the day of receipt of the examination opinions and all application materials submitted by the justice administrative organ accepting the application, and make a decision on approval or disapproval of practice of law.

If the practice of law is approved, it shall issue a lawyer’s practicing certificate to the applicant within ten days from the day of decision on approval.

If the practice of law is disapproved, it shall give written reasons for the disapproval to the applicant.

　　第十五条　省、自治区、直辖市司法行政机关应当自收到受理申请机关报送的审查意见和全部申请材料之日起十日内予以审核，作出是否准予执业的决定。

　　准予执业的，应当自决定之日起十日内向申请人颁发律师执业证书。

　　不准予执业的，应当向申请人书面说明理由。

Article 16 For an application for practicing law on a special permission basis, the materials to be submitted and the procedures for acceptance, assessment and approval shall be subject to the provisions of the relevant regulations of the State Council.

　　第十六条　申请特许律师执业，需要提交的材料以及受理、考核、批准的程序，依照国务院有关条例的规定办理。

Article 17 No applicant under any of the circumstances prescribed in Article 9 of these Measures shall be approved to practice law.

　　第十七条　申请人有本办法第九条规定情形之一的，不得准予其律师执业。

（相关资料: 地方法规1篇）

Article 18 A lawyer’s practicing certificate shall be the valid certificate that a lawyer has been legally approved to practice law.

The measures for the contents, specification of making and sequencing of certificate number of a lawyer’s practicing certificate shall be formulated by the Ministry of Justice. The lawyer’s practicing certificate shall be uniformly made by the Ministry of Justice.

　　第十八条　律师执业证书是律师依法获准执业的有效证件。

　　律师执业证书应当载明的内容、制作的规格、证号编制办法，由司法部规定。执业证书由司法部统一制作。

Article 19 Under any of the following circumstances, the justice administrative organ of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government which made the decision on approval of an applicant’s practice of law shall revoke the original decision on approval of practice of law, and take back and cancel the lawyer’s practicing certificate of the applicant:

(1) An applicant has acquired the decision on approval of practice of law by fraud, bribery or any other illicit means; or

(2) An applicant who does not satisfy the statutory conditions has been approved to practice law, or a decision on approval of practice of law has been made in violation of the statutory procedures.

　　第十九条　有下列情形之一的，由作出准予该申请人执业决定的省、自治区、直辖市司法行政机关撤销原准予执业的决定，收回并注销其律师执业证书：

　　（一）申请人以欺诈、贿赂等不正当手段取得准予执业决定的；

　　（二）对不符合法定条件的申请人准予执业或者违反法定程序作出准予执业决定的。

Article 20 To change a firm of practice, a lawyer shall apply to the justice administrative organ of a districted city or a district (county) of a municipality directly under the Central Government at the place of the prospective firm of practice, and submit the following materials:

(1) Certificate that the applicant has none of the circumstances prescribed in Article 21 of these Measures issued by the justice administrative organ at county level at the place of the former firm of practice;

(2) Certificate that the applicant has terminated the employment relationship or partnership with the former firm of practice and completed the handover procedures for business, archives, finance, etc.;

(3) Certificate that the prospective firm of practice agrees to accept the applicant; and

(4) Evidential materials on the practicing experiences of the applicant.

The justice administrative organ accepting the application shall present examination opinions on the application for modification and the submitted materials, and submit the examination opinions along with all application materials to the justice administrative organ of the province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government for review. If the modification is approved, the review organ shall replace the lawyer’s practicing certificate for the applicant; if the modification is disapproved, the review organ shall give written reasons for the disapproval to the applicant. The relevant time limits for the examination, review for approval or disapproval and replacement of certificate shall be subject to the procedures in Articles 14 and 15 of these Measures by analogy.

If the modification is approved, before collecting the new practicing certificate, the applicant shall hand over the original practicing certificate to the original review organ issuing the certificate.

Where the prospective firm of practice of a lawyer who changes his firm of practice is located in another districted city or province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the central government, the justice administrative organ at the place of the former firm of practice shall hand over and the justice administrative organ at the place of the prospective firm of practice shall receive the practicing archives of the lawyer.

　　第二十条　律师变更执业机构，应当向拟变更的执业机构所在地设区的市级或者直辖市的区（县）司法行政机关提出申请，并提交下列材料：

　　（一）原执业机构所在地县级司法行政机关出具的申请人不具有本办法第二十一条规定情形的证明；

　　（二）与原执业机构解除聘用关系或者合伙关系以及办结业务、档案、财务等交接手续的证明；

　　（三）拟变更的执业机构同意接收申请人的证明；

　　（四）申请人的执业经历证明材料。

　　受理机关应当对变更申请及提交的材料出具审查意见，并连同全部申请材料报送省、自治区、直辖市司法行政机关审核。对准予变更的，由审核机关为申请人换发律师执业证书；对不准予变更的，应当向申请人书面说明理由。有关审查、核准、换证的期限，参照本办法第十四条、第十五条规定的程序办理。

　　准予变更的，申请人在领取新的执业证书前，应当将原执业证书上交原审核颁证机关。

　　律师跨设区的市或者省、自治区、直辖市变更执业机构的，原执业机构所在地和变更的执业机构所在地的司法行政机关之间应当交接该律师执业档案。

Article 21 During the period of suffering a penalty of cessation of practice, a lawyer shall not apply for changing his firm of practice; if the time limit of a penalty of cessation of practice for correction imposed on a law firm is unexpired, the person in charge, a partner or a lawyer directly liable for the penalty of cessation of practice for correction imposed on the law firm shall not apply for changing his firm of practice; if a law firm shall be terminated, before liquidation is completed and deregistration is conducted, the person in charge, a partner or a lawyer directly liable for the penalty of revocation of the law firm’s practicing license shall not apply for changing his firm of practice.

　　第二十一条　律师受到停止执业处罚期间，不得申请变更执业机构；律师事务所受到停业整顿处罚期限未满的，该所负责人、合伙人和对律师事务所受到停业整顿处罚负有直接责任的律师不得申请变更执业机构；律师事务所应当终止的，在完成清算、办理注销前，该所负责人、合伙人和对律师事务所被吊销执业许可证负有直接责任的律师不得申请变更执业机构。

Article 22 Where a lawyer is dispatched by his law firm to a branch to practice law, the replacement and administration of his lawyer’s practicing certificate shall be subject to the relevant provisions of the Ministry of Justice.

　　第二十二条　律师被所在的律师事务所派驻分所执业的，其律师执业证书的换发及管理办法，按照司法部有关规定办理。

Article 23 Where a lawyer falls under any of the following circumstances, the original review organ issuing the certificate at the place of his practice of law shall take back and cancel the lawyer’s practicing certificate:

(1) A penalty of revocation of the lawyer’s practicing certificate is imposed on the lawyer;

(2) The original decision on approval of practice of law is revoked according to law;

(3) The lawyer himself applies for cancellation because he is no longer engaged in the profession of lawyer;
　　
(4) The lawyer is not hired by any other law firm within six months after he terminates his employment contract with his current law firm or after his current law firm is deregistered; or

(5) The lawyer terminates his practice of law for any other reason.

Where a person whose lawyer’s practicing certificate is cancelled under the circumstance of subparagraph (3), (4) or (5) of the preceding paragraph reapplies for practicing law, he shall apply for practicing law according to the procedures in these Measures.

　　第二十三条　律师有下列情形之一的，由其执业地的原审核颁证机关收回、注销其律师执业证书：

　　（一）受到吊销律师执业证书处罚的；

　　（二）原准予执业的决定被依法撤销的；

　　（三）因本人不再从事律师职业申请注销的；

　　（四）因与所在律师事务所解除聘用合同或者所在的律师事务所被注销，在六个月内未被其他律师事务所聘用的；

　　（五）因其他原因终止律师执业的。

　　因前款第（三）项、第（四）项、第（五）项规定情形被注销律师执业证书的人员，重新申请律师执业的，按照本办法规定的程序申请律师执业。

Chapter IV Code of Conduct of Practicing Lawyers

第四章　律师执业行为规范

Article 24 In practicing law, a lawyer must observe the Constitution and laws, and adhere to the professional ethics and practicing disciplines of lawyers.

In practicing law, a lawyer must take fact as the basis and take law as the yardstick.

In practicing law, a lawyer must accept the supervision of the state, public and client.

　　第二十四条　律师执业必须遵守宪法和法律，恪守律师职业道德和执业纪律。

　　律师执业必须以事实为根据，以法律为准绳。

　　律师执业应当接受国家、社会和当事人的监督。

Article 25 A lawyer may be engaged in the following practices:

(1) Accepting the authorization by a citizen, legal person or any other organization to serve as a legal consultant;

(2) Accepting the authorization by a client in a civil or administrative case to represent the client in legal proceedings;

(3) Accepting the authorization by a criminal suspect in a criminal case to provide legal advice for him, represent him in filing a petition or charge or apply for a bail for awaiting trial for an arrested criminal suspect, and accepting the authorization by a criminal suspect or defendant or the appointment by a people’s court to serve as a counsel, and accepting the authorization by a private prosecutor in a case of private prosecution or by a victim or his close relative in a case of public prosecution to represent the client in legal proceedings;

(4) Accepting an authorization to represent a client in filing a petition in any litigation;

(5) Accepting an authorization to participate in mediation or arbitration;

(6) Accepting an authorization to provide non-contentious legal services; and

(7) Answering questions on law and preparing litigation documents and other documents on the relevant legal affairs on behalf of a client.

　　第二十五条　律师可以从事下列业务：

　　（一）接受自然人、法人或者其他组织的委托，担任法律顾问；

　　（二）接受民事案件、行政案件当事人的委托，担任代理人，参加诉讼；

　　（三）接受刑事案件犯罪嫌疑人的委托，为其提供法律咨询，代理申诉、控告，为被逮捕的犯罪嫌疑人申请取保候审，接受犯罪嫌疑人、被告人的委托或者人民法院的指定，担任辩护人，接受自诉案件自诉人、公诉案件被害人或者其近亲属的委托，担任代理人，参加诉讼；

　　（四）接受委托，代理各类诉讼案件的申诉；

　　（五）接受委托，参加调解、仲裁活动；

　　（六）接受委托，提供非诉讼法律服务；

　　（七）解答有关法律的询问、代写诉讼文书和有关法律事务的其他文书。

Article 26 For a lawyer to handle cases, the law firm shall uniformly accept the authorization by a client, and enter into a written lawyer-client contract with the client, and the lawyer shall be subject to the law firm’s examination of conflicts of interest in the accepted case and obey its decision.

　　第二十六条　律师承办业务，应当由律师事务所统一接受委托，与委托人签订书面委托合同，并服从律师事务所对受理业务进行的利益冲突审查及其决定。

Article 27 A lawyer shall not represent both parties in a same case, or represent a client in a legal matter involving any conflict of interest with the lawyer himself or his close relative.

A lawyer, who is a member of the standing committee of the people’s congress at any level, shall not be engaged in representation or defense in legal proceedings during his term of membership.

A lawyer, who once served as a judge or prosecutor, shall not be engaged in representation or defense in legal proceedings within two years after leaving his post in the people’s court or the people’s procuratorate.

　　第二十七条　律师不得在同一案件中为双方当事人担任代理人，不得代理与本人及其近亲属有利益冲突的法律事务。

　　律师担任各级人民代表大会常务委员会组成人员的，任职期间不得从事诉讼代理或者辩护业务。

　　曾经担任法官、检察官的律师，从人民法院、人民检察院离任后二年内，不得担任诉讼代理人或者辩护人。

Article 28 A lawyer serving as a legal consultant shall, as agreed upon, provide opinions on the relevant legal issues for a client, draft and examine legal documents for a client, represent a client in legal proceedings, mediation or arbitration, handle other legal affairs as authorized by a client, and protect the legal rights and interests of a client.

　　第二十八条　律师担任法律顾问的，应当按照约定为委托人就有关法律问题提供意见，草拟、审查法律文书，代理参加诉讼、调解或者仲裁活动，办理委托的其他法律事务，维护委托人的合法权益。

Article 29 A lawyer representing a client in a contentious or non-contentious legal matter shall represent the client in the legal matter within the extent of authorization by the client to protect the legal rights and interests of the client.

　　第二十九条　律师担任诉讼法律事务代理人或者非诉讼法律事务代理人的，应当在受委托的权限内代理法律事务，维护委托人的合法权益。

Article 30 A lawyer serving as a counsel shall present materials and arguments on the innocence, less offence, or mitigation of or exemption from criminal liability of a criminal suspect or defendant on the basis of fact and law to protect the legal rights and interests of the criminal suspect or defendant.

　　第三十条　律师担任辩护人的，应当根据事实和法律，提出犯罪嫌疑人、被告人无罪、罪轻或者减轻、免除其刑事责任的材料和意见，维护犯罪嫌疑人、被告人的合法权益。

Article 31 In presenting legal opinions, a lawyer shall perform his duties strictly according to law, and ensure the authenticity, accurateness and integrity of the opinions presented by him.

In providing legal advice and preparing legal documents on behalf of a client, a lawyer shall take fact as the basis and take law as the yardstick, and observe the rules on legal advice and requirements for the style and format of legal documents.

　　第三十一条　律师出具法律意见，应当严格依法履行职责，保证其所出具意见的真实性、准确性、完整性。

　　律师提供法律咨询、代写法律文书，应当以事实为根据，以法律为准绳，并符合法律咨询规则和法律文书体例、格式的要求。

Article 32 In handing cases, a lawyer shall inform a client of the possible legal risks during his handling the authorized matter, and shall not explicitly or implicitly make any improper promise to the client on the handling results.
　
In handling cases, a lawyer shall timely inform a client of the progress of his handling the authorized matter; if it is necessary to change the authorized matter or the extent of authorization, the lawyer shall obtain the consent and authorization of the client.

After accepting an authorization, a lawyer shall not refuse to defend or represent a client without good reasons; however, if the authorized matter violates the law, the client makes use of the services provided by the lawyer to be engaged in illegal activities or the client deliberately conceals any material fact related to the case, the lawyer shall be entitled to refuse to defend or represent the client.

　　第三十二条　律师承办业务，应当告知委托人该委托事项办理可能出现的法律风险，不得用明示或者暗示方式对办理结果向委托人作出不当承诺。

　　律师承办业务，应当及时向委托人通报委托事项办理进展情况；需要变更委托事项、权限的，应当征得委托人的同意和授权。

　　律师接受委托后，无正当理由的，不得拒绝辩护或者代理，但是，委托事项违法，委托人利用律师提供的服务从事违法活动或者委托人故意隐瞒与案件有关的重要事实的，律师有权拒绝辩护或者代理。

Article 33 In handling cases, a lawyer shall direct a client to claim rights and settle disputes through legitimate channels and by legitimate means, and shall not incite or abet the client to settle disputes through such illegal means as disturbing the public order or endangering the public safety.

A lawyer shall not take advantage of the provision of legal services to seek any disputed right or interest of a party, accept any property or other benefit from the opposite party, or maliciously collude with the opposite party or a third party to damage the rights and interests of his client.

　　第三十三条　律师承办业务应当引导委托人通过合法的途径、手段主张权利、解决争议，不得煽动、教唆委托人采取扰乱公共秩序、危害公共安全等非法手段解决争议。

　　律师不得利用提供法律服务的便利牟取当事人争议的权益，不得接受对方当事人的财物或者其他利益，不得与对方当事人或者第三人恶意串通，侵害委托人权益。

Article 34 In representing a client in the litigation, arbitration or administrative disposition activities, a lawyer shall observe the disciplines of the court or arbitral tribunal or the rules on administrative disposition, and shall not have any of the following conduct which impedes or disturbs the normal litigation, arbitration or administrative disposition activities:

(1) Meeting a judge, prosecutor, arbitrator or any other relevant staffer in violation of legal provisions;

(2) Bribing, promising the provision of any benefit to or instigating or inducing the client to bribe a person handling the case;

(3) Deliberately providing the justice administrative organ, arbitral institution or administration authority with false evidence, or intimidating or inducing others into providing false evidence, to obstruct the opposite party from legally obtaining evidence;

(4) Delivering a speech which compromises the national security, defames another person or disrupts the court order; or

(5) Any other conduct which impedes or disturbs the normal litigation, arbitration or administrative disposition activities, as prescribed by law.

　　第三十四条　律师代理参与诉讼、仲裁或者行政处理活动，应当遵守法庭、仲裁庭纪律和行政处理规则，不得有下列妨碍、干扰诉讼、仲裁或者行政处理活动正常进行的行为：

　　（一）违反规定会见法官、检察官、仲裁员以及其他有关工作人员；

　　（二）向案件承办人员行贿、许诺提供利益或者指使、诱导委托人行贿；

　　（三）故意向司法机关、仲裁机构或者行政机关提供虚假证据或者威胁、利诱他人提供虚假证据，妨碍对方当事人合法取得证据；

　　（四）在法庭上发表危害国家安全、诽谤他人、扰乱法庭秩序的言论；

　　（五）法律规定的妨碍、干扰诉讼、仲裁或者行政处理活动正常进行的其他行为。

Article 35 A lawyer shall respect colleagues and insist on fair competition, and shall not develop practices by defaming other law firms or lawyers, paying middleman fees or other illicit means.

　　第三十五条　律师应当尊重同行，公平竞争，不得以诋毁其他律师事务所、律师或者支付介绍费等不正当手段承揽业务。

Article 36 A lawyer shall keep the national secrets and trade secrets known in his practice of law, and shall not divulge any privacy of a client.

A lawyer shall keep confidential any condition or information known in his practice of law which a client or any other person is reluctant to disclose, except the fact of or information on a crime compromising the national security or public safety or seriously endangering the physical or property safety of another person which a client or any other person prepares to commit or is committing.

　　第三十六条　律师应当保守在执业活动中知悉的国家秘密、商业秘密，不得泄露当事人隐私。

　　律师对在执业活动中知悉的委托人和其他人不愿泄露的情况和信息，应当予以保密。但委托人或者其他人准备或者正在实施的危害国家安全、公共安全以及其他严重危害他人人身、财产安全的犯罪事实和信息除外。

Article 37 In handling cases, a lawyer shall not privately charge any fee to or accept any property or other benefit from a client, and the lawyer’s fees and relevant case-handling costs shall be uniformly charged to the client by the law firm according to legal provisions.

　　第三十七条　律师承办业务，应当按照规定由律师事务所向委托人统一收取律师费和有关办案费用，不得私自收费，不得接受委托人的财物或者其他利益。

Article 38 A lawyer shall perform the obligation of legal aid according to the provisions of the state, provide the aided persons with standard legal services, and protect the legal rights and interests of the aided persons.

　　第三十八条　律师应当按照国家规定履行法律援助义务，为受援人提供符合标准的法律服务，维护受援人的合法权益。

Article 39 In handling cases, a lawyer shall properly keep the legal documents, evidential materials, business files and working records relating to the matters being handled. After completion of handling the legal matters, the lawyer shall create archives according to the relevant provisions and submit them to the law firm for keeping.

　　第三十九条　律师承办业务，应当妥善保管与承办事项有关的法律文书、证据材料、业务文件和工作记录。在法律事务办结后，按照有关规定立卷建档，上交律师事务所保管。

Article 40 A lawyer may only practice law in one law firm.

During the practicing period, a lawyer shall practice law on a full-time basis, except a part-time lawyer or as otherwise provided for by a law or administrative regulation.

In practicing law, a lawyer shall observe the practice management rules of his law firm, accept the guidance and supervision by his law firm, and participate in the annual practice assessment of a lawyer.

　　第四十条　律师只能在一个律师事务所执业。

　　律师在从业期间应当专职执业，但兼职律师或者法律、行政法规另有规定的除外。

　　律师执业，应当遵守所在律师事务所的执业管理制度，接受律师事务所的指导和监督，参加律师执业年度考核。

Article 41 A lawyer shall properly use and keep the lawyer’s practicing certificate, and shall not alter, mortgage, lend or lease it. Where a lawyer’s practicing certificate is lost or damaged, the lawyer shall timely report to the local justice administrative organ at the county level, and the local justice administrative organ of a districted city or a district (county) of a municipality directly under the central government shall apply to the original review organ issuing the certificate for reissuance or replacement of the certificate. For a lost certificate, a declaration of loss shall be published on a local newspaper or periodical.

Where the licensing for a lawyer’s practice of law is cancelled, and a penalty of revocation of the lawyer’s practicing certificate is imposed on the lawyer, the justice administrative organ at the county level at the place where his firm of practice is located shall take back his practicing certificate.
　
Where a penalty of cessation of practice is imposed on a lawyer, the lawyer shall turn in the lawyer’s practicing certificate to the justice administrative organ at the county level at the place where his firm of practice is located for keeping after the penalty decision takes effect and before the penalty period expires.

　　第四十一条　律师应当妥善使用和保管律师执业证书，不得变造、抵押、出借、出租。如有遗失或者损毁的，应当及时报告所在地县级司法行政机关，经所在地设区的市级或者直辖市区（县）司法行政机关向原审核颁证机关申请补发或者换发。律师执业证书遗失的，应当在当地报刊上刊登遗失声明。

　　律师被撤销执业许可，受到吊销执业证书处罚的，由其执业机构所在地县级司法行政机关收缴其执业证书。

　　律师受到停止执业处罚的，应当自处罚决定生效后至处罚期限届满前，将律师执业证书缴存其执业机构所在地县级司法行政机关。

Article 42 A lawyer shall participate in the professional training organized by the justice administrative organ and the lawyers’ association according to legal provisions.

　　第四十二条　律师应当按照规定参加司法行政机关和律师协会组织的职业培训。

Chapter V Supervision and Administration by Justice administrative organs

第五章　司法行政机关的监督管理

Article 43 The justice administrative organ at the county level shall conduct daily supervision and administration of the practice of law by lawyers whose firms of practice are located within its administrative area, and perform the following functions:

(1) Inspecting and supervising a lawyer’s compliance with the laws, regulations, rules, professional ethics and practicing disciplines during the practice of law;

(2) Accepting any report or complaint against a lawyer;

(3) Supervising a lawyer’s performance of an administrative punishment and implementation of rectification;

(4) Controlling the information on the annual practice assessment of a lawyer conducted by a law firm; and

(5) Other functions prescribed by the Ministry of Justice or the justice administrative organ of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the central government.

Where, during the daily supervision and administration, the justice administrative organ at the county level finds or confirms after investigation any problem with a lawyer during his practice of law, it shall have a warning talk with the lawyer, order him to make correction, and supervise his rectification; if deeming that an administrative punishment shall be legally imposed for the illegal conduct of the lawyer, shall submit punishment opinions to the superior justice administrative organ; or if deeming that a professional discipline shall be imposed on the lawyer, shall transfer the case to the lawyers’ association for handling.

　　第四十三条　县级司法行政机关对其执业机构在本行政区域的律师的执业活动进行日常监督管理，履行下列职责：

　　（一）检查、监督律师在执业活动中遵守法律、法规、规章和职业道德、执业纪律的情况；

　　（二）受理对律师的举报和投诉；

　　（三）监督律师履行行政处罚和实行整改的情况；

　　（四）掌握律师事务所对律师执业年度考核的情况；

　　（五）司法部和省、自治区、直辖市司法行政机关规定的其他职责。

　　县级司法行政机关在开展日常监督管理过程中，发现、查实律师在执业活动中存在问题的，应当对其进行警示谈话，责令改正，并对其整改情况进行监督；对律师的违法行为认为依法应当给予行政处罚的，应当向上一级司法行政机关提出处罚建议；认为需要给予行业惩戒的，移送律师协会处理。

Article 44 The justice administrative organ of a districted city shall perform the following functions of supervision and administration:

(1) Controlling the information on the building and development of lawyers within its administrative area, and formulating the measures and methods for strengthening the building of lawyers;

(2) Guiding and supervising the work of the justice administrative organ at the next lower level on the daily supervision and administration of practice of law by lawyers, organizing and conducting the work on the special inspection or special assessment of practice of law by lawyers, and guiding the investigation and punishment of major cases of complaints against lawyers;

(3) Commending lawyers;

(4) Imposing an administrative punishment for the illegal conduct of a lawyer according to statutory functions; or where the penalty of revocation of the lawyer’s practicing certificate shall be imposed according to law, submitting punishment opinions to the superior justice administrative organ;

(5) Implementing archival supervision over the results of annual practice assessment of lawyers conducted by a law firm;

(6) Accepting and examining matters on the application of a lawyer for practice of law, change of firm of practice or cancellation of practicing certificate;

(7) Creating the practice archives of lawyers, and taking charge of the work on the disclosure of information on the licensing, modification, cancellation, etc. of practice of law by a lawyer; and

(8) Other functions prescribed by laws, regulations and rules.

The justice administrative organ of a district (county) of a municipality directly under the central government shall have the relevant functions prescribed in the preceding paragraph.

　　第四十四条　设区的市级司法行政机关履行下列监督管理职责：

　　（一）掌握本行政区域律师队伍建设和发展情况，制定加强律师队伍建设的措施和办法；

　　（二）指导、监督下一级司法行政机关对律师执业的日常监督管理工作，组织开展对律师执业的专项检查或者专项考核工作，指导对律师重大投诉案件的查处工作；

　　（三）对律师进行表彰；

　　（四）依法定职权对律师的违法行为实施行政处罚；对依法应当给予吊销律师执业证书处罚的，向上一级司法行政机关提出处罚建议；

　　（五）对律师事务所的律师执业年度考核结果实行备案监督；

　　（六）受理、审查律师执业、变更执业机构、执业证书注销申请事项；

　　（七）建立律师执业档案，负责有关律师执业许可、变更、注销等信息的公开工作；

　　（八）法律、法规、规章规定的其他职责。

　　直辖市的区（县）司法行政机关负有前款规定的有关职责。

Article 45 The justice administrative organ of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the central government shall perform the following functions of supervision and management:

(1) Controlling and assessing the information on the building of lawyers and the overall practice level of lawyers within its administrative area, formulating the development plans and relevant policies for lawyers, and formulating normative documents for strengthening the administration of practice of law by lawyers;

(2) Supervising and guiding the work of a lower justice administrative organ on the supervision and administration of practice of law by lawyers, and organizing and guiding the work on the special inspection or special assessment of practice of law by lawyers;

(3) Organizing activities of commendation of lawyers;

(4) Imposing the penalty of revocation of the lawyer’s practicing certificate for the serious illegal conduct of a lawyer according to law, supervising and guiding the administrative punishment work of the justice administrative organ at the next lower level, and handling the relevant cases of administrative reconsideration and appeal;

(5) Handling matters on the examination and approval of practice of law by a lawyer, examination and approval of modification of a lawyer’s firm of practice and cancellation of a lawyer’s practicing certificate;

(6) Taking charge of the work on the disclosure of major information on the lawyers, practice of law by lawyers, administration of affairs, etc. within its administrative area; and

(7) Other functions prescribed by laws, regulations and rules.

　　第四十五条　省、自治区、直辖市司法行政机关履行下列监督管理职责：

　　（一）掌握、评估本行政区域律师队伍建设情况和总体执业水平，制定律师队伍的发展规划和有关政策，制定加强律师执业管理的规范性文件；

　　（二）监督、指导下级司法行政机关对律师执业的监督管理工作，组织、指导对律师执业的专项检查或者专项考核工作；

　　（三）组织对律师的表彰活动；

　　（四）依法对律师的严重违法行为实施吊销律师执业证书的处罚，监督、指导下一级司法行政机关的行政处罚工作，办理有关行政复议和申诉案件；

　　（五）办理律师执业核准、变更执业机构核准和执业证书注销事项；

　　（六）负责有关本行政区域律师队伍、执业情况、管理事务等重大信息的公开工作；

　　（七）法律、法规、规章规定的其他职责。

Article 46 In the supervision and administration of practice of law by lawyers, the justice administrative organs at all level and their staffers shall not obstruct the lawful practice of law by lawyers, shall not infringe the legal rights and interests of lawyers, shall not ask for or accept property from lawyers, and shall not seek other benefits.

　　第四十六条　各级司法行政机关及其工作人员对律师执业实施监督管理，不得妨碍律师依法执业，不得侵害律师的合法权益，不得索取或者收受律师的财物，不得谋取其他利益。

Article 47 The justice administrative organs shall strengthen the tiered supervision over the implementation of licensing for practice of law by a lawyer and daily supervision and administration, and establish the statistics, instruction request, reporting, supervisory handling and other systems for the relevant work according to legal provisions.

The justice administrative organ taking charge of implementing the licensing for practice of law by a lawyer, archiving of the results of annual practice assessment of lawyers, or reward and punishment shall timely inform the lower justice administrative organ of the relevant decision on licensing, archival status and information on reward and punishment, and report the same to the justice administrative organ at the next higher level.

　　第四十七条　司法行政机关应当加强对实施律师执业许可和日常监督管理活动的层级监督，按照规定建立有关工作的统计、请示、报告、督办等制度。

　　负责律师执业许可实施、律师执业年度考核结果备案或者奖励、处罚的司法行政机关，应当及时将有关许可决定、备案情况、奖惩情况通报下级司法行政机关，并报送上一级司法行政机关。

Article 48 The justice administrative organs shall strengthen the guidance and supervision of lawyers’ associations, support the lawyers’ associations implementing professional self-regulation of the practice of law by lawyers according to the Lawyers Law, bylaws of lawyers’ associations and professional rules, and establish and improve the mechanism of coordination and cooperation combing the administrative regulation with the professional self-regulation.

　　第四十八条　司法行政机关应当加强对律师协会的指导、监督，支持律师协会依照《律师法》和协会章程、行业规范对律师执业活动实行行业自律，建立健全行政管理与行业自律相结合的协调、协作机制。

Article 49 The justice administrative organs at all level shall regularly submit the statistical data and the annual administrative work summary on the building of lawyers and practice of law by lawyers within its administrative area to the justice administrative organ at the next higher level.

　　第四十九条　各级司法行政机关应当定期将本行政区域律师队伍建设、执业活动情况的统计资料、年度管理工作总结报送上一级司法行政机关。

Article 50 Where, in the licensing for practice of law by a lawyer or implementation of supervision and administration, a staffer of a justice administrative organ abuses his powers or neglects his duties, which constitutes a crime, he shall be subject to the criminal liability; or which does not constitute a crime, he shall be subject to an administrative sanction according to law.

　　第五十条　司法行政机关工作人员在律师执业许可和实施监督管理活动中，滥用职权、玩忽职守，构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任；尚不构成犯罪的，依法给予行政处分。

Chapter VI Supplementary Provisions

第六章　附则

Article 51 The justice administrative organ of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the central government may formulate the specific implementation measures according to these Measures, and submit them to the Ministry of Justice for archival purpose.

　　第五十一条　省、自治区、直辖市司法行政机关可以依据本办法制定具体实施办法，报司法部备案。

Article 52 These Measures shall be implemented on the day of promulgation. Where any rule or normative document on the administration of practice of law by lawyers previously enacted by the Ministry of Justice conflicts with these Measures, these Measures shall prevail.

　　第五十二条　本办法自发布之日起施行。此前司法部制定的有关律师执业管理的规章、规范性文件与本办法相抵触的，以本办法为准。

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