Order of the President of the People’s Republic of China
(No. 76)



The Law of the People’s Republic of China on Lawyers was amended and adopted at the 30th Session of the Standing Committee of the Tenth National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China on October 28, 2007, and the Law on Lawyers of the People’s Republic of China as amended is hereby promulgated and shall be effective as of June 1, 2008.

President of the People’s Republic of China: Hu Jintao

October 28, 2007

Law of the People’s Republic of China on Lawyers

(Adopted at the 19th Session of the Standing Committee of the Eighth National People’s Congress on May 15, 1996; amended according to the Decision on Amending the Law on Lawyers of the People’s Republic of China at the 25th Session of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People’s Congress on December 29, 2001; and revised at the 30th Session of the Tenth National People’s Congress on October 28, 2007)

Table of Contents

Chapter I General Provisions
Chapter II Lawyer Practice Licensing
Chapter III Law Firms
Chapter IV Practices, Rights and Obligations of Lawyers
Chapter V Lawyers’ Association
Chapter VI Legal Liability
Chapter VII Supplementary Provisions

　　【本法变迁史】
　　　　中华人民共和国律师暂行条例[失效][19800826]
　　　　中华人民共和国律师法[19960515]
　　　　全国人民代表大会常务委员会关于修改《中华人民共和国律师法》的决定[20011229]
　　　　中华人民共和国律师法(2001修正)[20011229]
　　　　中华人民共和国律师法(2007修订)[20071028]
　　　　

中华人民共和国主席令
（第七十六号）

（相关资料: 法律1篇 部门规章7篇 司法解释1篇 地方法规65篇 裁判文书2篇 相关论文45篇）
　　《中华人民共和国律师法》已由中华人民共和国第十届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第三十次会议于2007年10月28日修订通过，现将修订后的《中华人民共和国律师法》公布，自2008年6月1日起施行。

中华人民共和国主席　胡锦涛
2007年10月28日

中华人民共和国律师法
（1996年5月15日第八届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第十九次会议通过　根据2001年12月29日第九届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第二十五次会议《关于修改〈中华人民共和国律师法〉的决定》修正　2007年10月28日第十届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第三十次会议修订）

　　目录

　　第一章　总则
　　第二章　律师执业许可
　　第三章　律师事务所
　　第四章　律师的业务和权利、义务
　　第五章　律师协会
　　第六章　法律责任
　　第七章　附则

Chapter I General Provisions

第一章　总则

Article 1 This Law has been made to improve the lawyer system, standardize the practicing conduct of lawyers, safeguard the legal practice of law by lawyers, and discharge the functions of lawyers in the building of a socialist legal system.

　　第一条　为了完善律师制度，规范律师执业行为，保障律师依法执业，发挥律师在社会主义法制建设中的作用，制定本法。
（相关资料: 修订沿革 相关论文1篇）

Article 2 A lawyer as mentioned in this Law shall refer to a practitioner who has acquired a lawyer’s practicing certificate according to law and accepts authorization or appointment to provide legal services for a client.

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.

　　第二条　本法所称律师，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。
　　律师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。
（相关资料: 修订沿革 相关论文3篇）

Article 3 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.

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

　　第三条　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。
　　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。
（相关资料: 修订沿革 相关论文1篇）

Article 4 The justice administrative authorities shall supervise and provide guidance for lawyers, law firms and lawyers’ associations in accordance with this Law.

　　第四条　司法行政部门依照本法对律师、律师事务所和律师协会进行监督、指导。
（相关资料: 修订沿革 相关论文1篇）

Chapter II Lawyer Practice Licensing

第二章　律师执业许可

Article 5 To apply for practicing law, a person shall satisfy the following conditions:

1. Upholding the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China;

2. Passing the uniform national judicial examination;

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

4. Having good character and conduct.

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

　　第五条　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；
　　（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凭证，在申请律师执业时，与国家统一司法考试合格证书具有同等效力。
（相关资料: 地方法规1篇 修订沿革）

Article 6 To apply for practicing law, a person shall lodge an application with the justice administrative authority of the people’s government of a city with districts or the people’s government of a district of a municipality directly under the Central Government, and submit the following materials:

1. Certificate of passing the uniform national judicial examination;

2. Document issued by a lawyers’ association on the applicant’s passing the internship assessment;

3. Identity certificate of the applicant; and

4. Certificate issued by a law firm on agreeing to accept the applicant.

To apply for practicing law on a part-time basis, a person shall also submit a certificate that the work unit of the applicant allows the applicant to practice law on a part-time basis.

The authority accepting the application shall examine the application and submit its examination opinions and all application materials to the justice administrative authority of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government within 20 days as of the date of acceptance. The justice administrative authority of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government shall review the submissions and make a decision on approving or disapproving the practice of law within ten days as of receiving the submissions. If the practice of law is approved, a lawyer’s practicing certificate shall be issued to the applicant; if the practice of law is disapproved, the reasons shall be explained in writing to the applicant.

　　第六条　申请律师执业，应当向设区的市级或者直辖市的区人民政府司法行政部门提出申请，并提交下列材料：
　　（一）国家统一司法考试合格证书；
　　（二）律师协会出具的申请人实习考核合格的材料；
　　（三）申请人的身份证明；
　　（四）律师事务所出具的同意接收申请人的证明。
　　申请兼职律师执业的，还应当提交所在单位同意申请人兼职从事律师职业的证明。
　　受理申请的部门应当自受理之日起二十日内予以审查，并将审查意见和全部申请材料报送省、自治区、直辖市人民政府司法行政部门。省、自治区、直辖市人民政府司法行政部门应当自收到报送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，向申请人颁发律师执业证书；不准予执业的，向申请人书面说明理由。
（相关资料: 地方法规3篇 修订沿革 相关论文1篇）

Article 7 A lawyer’s practicing certificate shall not be issued to an applicant who is under any of the following circumstances:

1. Having no capacity or limited capacity in civil conduct;

2. Having a record of criminal punishment, except for a crime of negligence; or

3. Having been expelled from a public office or having his lawyer’s practicing certificate revoked.

　　第七条　申请人有下列情形之一的，不予颁发律师执业证书：
　　（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 修订沿革）

Article 8 Where a person, who has received regular course education or above in an institution of higher learning, has been engaged in the professional work for at least 15 years in a field short of legal service staff and has a senior professional title or an equivalent professional title, applies for practicing law on a full-time basis, an approval of practice of law may be granted if he passes the assessment of the justice administrative authority under the State Council. The specific rules shall be made by the State Council.

　　第八条　具有高等院校本科以上学历，在法律服务人员紧缺领域从事专业工作满十五年，具有高级职称或者同等专业水平并具有相应的专业法律知识的人员，申请专职律师执业的，经国务院司法行政部门考核合格，准予执业。具体办法由国务院规定。
（相关资料: 地方法规1篇 修订沿革 相关论文1篇）

Article 9 Under either of the following circumstances, the justice administrative authority of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government shall revoke a decision on approving the practice of law, and cancel the lawyer’s practicing certificate of the person whose practice of law is approved:

1. An applicant has acquired a lawyer’s practicing certificate by fraud, bribery or any other illicit means; or

2. The practice of law by an applicant who does not satisfy the conditions set forth in this Law has been approved.

　　第九条　有下列情形之一的，由省、自治区、直辖市人民政府司法行政部门撤销准予执业的决定，并注销被准予执业人员的律师执业证书：
　　（一）申请人以欺诈、贿赂等不正当手段取得律师执业证书的；
　　（二）对不符合本法规定条件的申请人准予执业的。

Article 10 A lawyer may only practice law in one law firm. Where a lawyer changes his firm of practice, he shall apply for replacement of the lawyer’s practicing certificate.

The practice of law by a lawyer shall be free of territorial restrictions.

　　第十条　律师只能在一个律师事务所执业。律师变更执业机构的，应当申请换发律师执业证书。
　　律师执业不受地域限制。
（相关资料: 修订沿革）

Article 11 A civil servant shall not concurrently serve as a practicing lawyer.

A lawyer, who serves as a member of a standing committee of a people’s congress at any level, shall not be engaged in a practice of representation or defense in litigation during his term of membership.

　　第十一条　公务员不得兼任执业律师。
　　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。
（相关资料: 地方法规3篇 修订沿革）

Article 12 A person who is engaged in the legal education or research work in an institution of higher learning or research institute may apply for practicing law as a part-time lawyer, according to the procedures set forth in Article 6 of this Law, with the consent of the work unit of the person, if the conditions set forth in Article 5 of this Law are satisfied.

　　第十二条　高等院校、科研机构中从事法学教育、研究工作的人员，符合本法第五条规定条件的，经所在单位同意，依照本法第六条规定的程序，可以申请兼职律师执业。
（相关资料: 地方法规1篇）

Article 13 A person who has not acquired a lawyer’s practicing certificate shall not be engaged in legal service practices in the name of lawyer; and, except as otherwise provided for by law, shall not be engaged in a practice of representation or defense in litigation.

　　第十三条　没有取得律师执业证书的人员，不得以律师名义从事法律服务业务；除法律另有规定外，不得从事诉讼代理或者辩护业务。
（相关资料: 修订沿革 相关论文3篇）

Chapter III Law Firms

第三章　律师事务所

Article 14 A law firm is a firm where a lawyer practices law. To form a law firm, the following conditions shall be satisfied:

1. It shall have its own name, residence and articles of association;

2. It shall have lawyers consistent with the provisions of this Law;

3. The promoter shall be a lawyer with certain practicing experience and without suffering a penalty of cessation of practicing within three years; and

4. It shall have assets in the amount as provided for by the justice administrative authority of the State Council.

　　第十四条　律师事务所是律师的执业机构。设立律师事务所应当具备下列条件：
　　（一）有自己的名称、住所和章程；
　　（二）有符合本法规定的律师；
　　（三）设立人应当是具有一定的执业经历，且三年内未受过停止执业处罚的律师；
　　（四）有符合国务院司法行政部门规定数额的资产。
（相关资料: 地方法规1篇 修订沿革 相关论文2篇）

Article 15 To form a partnership law firm, in addition to satisfying the conditions set forth in Article 14 of this Law, there shall be three or more partners, and a promoter shall be a lawyer with practicing experience for three or more years.

A partnership law firm may be formed as a general partnership or a limited liability partnership. The partners of a partnership law firm shall be liable for the debts of the law firm in terms of the form of partnership.

　　第十五条　设立合伙律师事务所，除应当符合本法第十四条规定的条件外，还应当有三名以上合伙人，设立人应当是具有三年以上执业经历的律师。
　　合伙律师事务所可以采用普通合伙或者特殊的普通合伙形式设立。合伙律师事务所的合伙人按照合伙形式对该律师事务所的债务依法承担责任。
（相关资料: 地方法规1篇 修订沿革 相关论文1篇）

Article 16 To form a sole proprietorship law firm, in addition to satisfying the conditions set forth in Article 14 of this Law, the promoter shall be a lawyer with practicing experience for five or more years. The promoter shall be unlimitedly liable for the debts of the law firm.

　　第十六条　设立个人律师事务所，除应当符合本法第十四条规定的条件外，设立人还应当是具有五年以上执业经历的律师。设立人对律师事务所的债务承担无限责任。
（相关资料: 地方法规1篇 相关论文1篇）

Article 17 To apply for forming a law firm, the following materials shall be submitted:

1. The written application;

2. The name and articles of association of the law firm to be formed;

3. The list and resumes, identity certificates and lawyer’s practicing certificates of lawyers;

4. Certificate of residence; and

5. Certificate of assets.

To form a partnership law firm, a partnership agreement shall also be submitted.

　　第十七条　申请设立律师事务所，应当提交下列材料：
　　（一）申请书；
　　（二）律师事务所的名称、章程；
　　（三）律师的名单、简历、身份证明、律师执业证书；
　　（四）住所证明；
　　（五）资产证明。
　　设立合伙律师事务所，还应当提交合伙协议。
（相关资料: 地方法规2篇 相关论文1篇）

Article 18 To form a law firm, an application shall be lodged with the justice administrative authority of the people’s government of a city with districts or the people’s government of a district of a municipality directly under the Central Government, and the authority accepting the application shall examine the application and submit its examination opinions and all application materials to the justice administrative authority of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government within 20 days as of the date of acceptance. The justice administrative authority of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government shall review the submissions and make a decision on approving or disapproving the formation of the law firm within ten days as of receiving the submissions. If the formation of the law firm is approved, a law firm’s practicing certificate shall be issued to the applicant; if the formation of the law firm is disapproved, the reasons shall be explained in writing to the applicant.

　　第十八条　设立律师事务所，应当向设区的市级或者直辖市的区人民政府司法行政部门提出申请，受理申请的部门应当自受理之日起二十日内予以审查，并将审查意见和全部申请材料报送省、自治区、直辖市人民政府司法行政部门。省、自治区、直辖市人民政府司法行政部门应当自收到报送材料之日起十日内予以审核，作出是否准予设立的决定。准予设立的，向申请人颁发律师事务所执业证书；不准予设立的，向申请人书面说明理由。
（相关资料: 地方法规3篇 修订沿革 相关论文2篇）

Article 19 A partnership law firm that has been formed for three years and has 20 or more practicing lawyers may form a branch. The formation of a branch shall be examined by the justice administrative authority of the people’s government of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government of the location of the branch to be formed. The procedures as provided for in Article 18 of this Law shall apply to an application for the formation of a branch.

A partnership law firm shall be liable for the debts of its branch.

　　第十九条　成立三年以上并具有二十名以上执业律师的合伙律师事务所，可以设立分所。设立分所，须经拟设立分所所在地的省、自治区、直辖市人民政府司法行政部门审核。申请设立分所的，依照本法第十八条规定的程序办理。
　　合伙律师事务所对其分所的债务承担责任。
（相关资料: 地方法规6篇 修订沿革 相关论文2篇）

Article 20 A law firm funded and formed by the state shall legally and independently develop lawyer practices, and be liable for its debts with all assets of the law firm.

　　第二十条　国家出资设立的律师事务所，依法自主开展律师业务，以该律师事务所的全部资产对其债务承担责任。
（相关资料: 地方法规1篇 修订沿革 相关论文1篇）

Article 21 Any modification of the name, person in charge, articles of association or partnership agreement of a law firm shall be reported to the original examination and approval authority for approval.

Any modification of the residence or partners of a law firm shall be reported to the original examination and approval authority for archival purposes within 15 days as of the date of modification.

　　第二十一条　律师事务所变更名称、负责人、章程、合伙协议的，应当报原审核部门批准。
　　律师事务所变更住所、合伙人的，应当自变更之日起十五日内报原审核部门备案。
（相关资料: 地方法规1篇 修订沿革）

Article 22 A law firm under any of the following circumstances shall be terminated:

1. The statutory formation conditions cannot be maintained, and the law firm remains to be unable to satisfy the conditions after making rectification before a prescribed time limit;

2. The law firm’s practicing certificate has been revoked according to law;

3. The law firm decides to wind up on its own; or

4. Any other circumstance under which a law firm is to be terminated as provided for by a law or administrative regulation.

Where a law firm is terminated, the authority issuing the practicing certificate shall cancel the practicing certificate of the law firm.

　　第二十二条　律师事务所有下列情形之一的，应当终止：
　　（一）不能保持法定设立条件，经限期整改仍不符合条件的；
　　（二）律师事务所执业证书被依法吊销的；
　　（三）自行决定解散的；
　　（四）法律、行政法规规定应当终止的其他情形。
　　律师事务所终止的，由颁发执业证书的部门注销该律师事务所的执业证书。

Article 23 A law firm shall establish and enhance the practicing management, examination on conflicts of interest, fee charge and financial management, complaint investigation, annual assessment, archival management and other systems, and supervise its lawyers’ compliance with the professional ethics and practicing disciplines in their practicing activities.

　　第二十三条　律师事务所应当建立健全执业管理、利益冲突审查、收费与财务管理、投诉查处、年度考核、档案管理等制度，对律师在执业活动中遵守职业道德、执业纪律的情况进行监督。

Article 24 A law firm shall submit its annual practicing information report and lawyer practicing assessment results to the justice administrative authority of the people’s government of a city with districts or the people’s government of a district of a municipality directly under the Central Government after the annual assessment each year.

　　第二十四条　律师事务所应当于每年的年度考核后，向设区的市级或者直辖市的区人民政府司法行政部门提交本所的年度执业情况报告和律师执业考核结果。

Article 25 For a lawyer to undertake a practice, the law firm shall uniformly accept a client’s authorization and enter into a written authorization agreement with a client, and uniformly charge fees and enter them into accounts according to the provisions of the state.

A law firm and its lawyers shall pay taxes according to law.

　　第二十五条　律师承办业务，由律师事务所统一接受委托，与委托人签订书面委托合同，按照国家规定统一收取费用并如实入账。
　　律师事务所和律师应当依法纳税。
（相关资料: 修订沿革）

Article 26 A law firm and its lawyers shall not develop practices by defaming other law firms and lawyers, paying middleman fees and other illicit means.

　　第二十六条　律师事务所和律师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。
（相关资料: 修订沿革）

Article 27 A law firm shall not be engaged in business operations other than legal services.

　　第二十七条　律师事务所不得从事法律服务以外的经营活动。
（相关资料: 相关论文1篇）

Chapter IV Practices, Rights and Obligations of Lawyers

第四章　律师的业务和权利、义务

Article 28 A lawyer may be engaged in the following practices:

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

2. Accepting authorization by a client in a civil or administrative case to serve as an agent ad litem and participate in legal proceedings;

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

4. Accepting authorization to represent a client in filing a petition in any litigation;

5. Accepting authorization to participate in mediation and arbitration activities;

6. Accepting authorization to provide non-contentious legal services; and

7. Answering questions on law and representing a client in writing litigation documents and other documents on the relevant legal affairs.

　　第二十八条　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。
（相关资料: 修订沿革）

Article 29 A lawyer serving as a legal consultant shall provide opinions on relevant legal issues for a client as agreed upon, draft and examine legal documents, represent a client in legal proceedings, mediation or arbitration, handle other legal affairs as authorized, and protect the legal rights and interests of the client.

　　第二十九条　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。
（相关资料: 修订沿革 相关论文1篇）

Article 30 A lawyer serving as an agent in contentious and non-contentious legal affairs shall protect the legal rights and interests of a client within the extent of authorization.

　　第三十条　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，维护委托人的合法权益。
（相关资料: 修订沿革）

Article 31 A lawyer serving as a defender shall present materials and arguments proving that a criminal suspect is innocent or is less guilty than charged or his criminal liability should be mitigated or relieved, on the basis of fact and law, so as to protect the legal rights and interests of the criminal suspect or defendant.

　　第三十一条　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。
（相关资料: 修订沿革 相关论文2篇）

Article 32 A client may refuse to be further defended or represented by an authorized lawyer, and may authorize another lawyer to defend or represent him.

After accepting 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 engage in illegal activities or deliberately conceals a material fact related to the case, the lawyer shall have right to refuse to defend or represent the client.

　　第三十二条　委托人可以拒绝已委托的律师为其继续辩护或者代理，同时可以另行委托律师担任辩护人或者代理人。
　　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。
（相关资料: 修订沿革）

Article 33 As of the date of first interrogation of or adoption of a compulsory measure on a criminal suspect by the criminal investigative organ, an authorized lawyer shall have right to meet the criminal suspect or defendant and learn information related to the case, by presenting his lawyer’s practicing certificate, certificate of his law firm and power of attorney or official legal aid papers. A lawyer who meets a criminal suspect or defendant shall not be under surveillance.

　　第三十三条　犯罪嫌疑人被侦查机关第一次讯问或者采取强制措施之日起，受委托的律师凭律师执业证书、律师事务所证明和委托书或者法律援助公函，有权会见犯罪嫌疑人、被告人并了解有关案件情况。律师会见犯罪嫌疑人、被告人，不被监听。
（相关资料: 修订沿革 相关论文7篇）

Article 34 As of the date of prosecution examination of a case, an authorized lawyer shall have the right to consult, extract and duplicate litigation documents and case materials. As of the date of acceptance of a case by the people’s court, an authorized lawyer shall have the right to consult, extract and duplicate all materials related to the case.

　　第三十四条　受委托的律师自案件审查起诉之日起，有权查阅、摘抄和复制与案件有关的诉讼文书及案卷材料。受委托的律师自案件被人民法院受理之日起，有权查阅、摘抄和复制与案件有关的所有材料。
（相关资料: 修订沿革 相关论文5篇）

Article 35 As needed by a case, an authorized lawyer may apply to the people’s procuratorate or the people’s court to gather, investigate and take evidence or apply to the people’s court for notifying a witness to testify in court.

Where a lawyer investigates and takes evidence on his own, he may investigate information related to the legal affairs handled from the relevant entity or individual, by presenting his lawyer’s practicing certificate and certificate of his law firm.

　　第三十五条　受委托的律师根据案情的需要，可以申请人民检察院、人民法院收集、调取证据或者申请人民法院通知证人出庭作证。
　　律师自行调查取证的，凭律师执业证书和律师事务所证明，可以向有关单位或者个人调查与承办法律事务有关的情况。
（相关资料: 修订沿革 相关论文5篇）

Article 36 Where a lawyer serves as an agent ad litem or defender, his right of debate or defense shall be protected by law.

　　第三十六条　律师担任诉讼代理人或者辩护人的，其辩论或者辩护的权利依法受到保障。
（相关资料: 修订沿革）

Article 37 The personal rights of a lawyer in practicing law shall not be infringed upon.

The representation or defense opinions presented in court by a lawyer shall not be subject to legal prosecution, however, except speeches compromising the national security, maliciously defaming others or seriously disrupting the court order.

Where a lawyer is legally detained or arrested for any suspected criminal involvement during participation in a legal proceeding, the detention or arrest organ shall notify the relative, the law firm and the lawyers’ association of the lawyer within 24 hours after the adoption of detention or arrest.

　　第三十七条　律师在执业活动中的人身权利不受侵犯。
　　律师在法庭上发表的代理、辩护意见不受法律追究。但是，发表危害国家安全、恶意诽谤他人、严重扰乱法庭秩序的言论除外。
　　律师在参与诉讼活动中因涉嫌犯罪被依法拘留、逮捕的，拘留、逮捕机关应当在拘留、逮捕实施后的二十四小时内通知该律师的家属、所在的律师事务所以及所属的律师协会。
（相关资料: 修订沿革 相关论文3篇）

Article 38 A lawyer shall keep the national secrets and trade secrets known in practicing law, and shall not divulge any privacy of a client.

A lawyer shall keep confidential the condition and information that is known by the lawyer in practicing law and the client and other persons are reluctant to disclose, however, except facts and information on a crime compromising the national security or public security or seriously endangering the safety of the body or property of a person, which a client or other person prepares to commit or is committing.

　　第三十八条　律师应当保守在执业活动中知悉的国家秘密、商业秘密，不得泄露当事人的隐私。
　　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。但是，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。
（相关资料: 修订沿革 相关论文1篇）

Article 39 A lawyer shall not represent both parties in a same case, and shall not represent a client in a legal affair that has any conflict of interest with himself or his close relative.

　　第三十九条　律师不得在同一案件中为双方当事人担任代理人，不得代理与本人或者其近亲属有利益冲突的法律事务。
（相关资料: 修订沿革）

Article 40 A lawyer shall not have any of the following conduct in practicing law:

1. Accepting authorization or charging fees privately, or accepting property or any other benefit from a client;

2. Seeking the disputed rights and interests of a party by taking advantage of the provision of legal services;

3. Accepting property or any other benefit from the opposite party, maliciously colluding with the opposite party or a third party to damage the rights and interests of his client;

4. Meeting a judge, prosecutor, arbitrator or any other relevant staffer in violation of provisions;

5. Bribing or bribing as an intermediary a judge, prosecutor, arbitrator or any other relevant staffer, instructing or inducing a party to bribe the same, or affecting the handling of a case according to law by a judge, prosecutor, arbitrator or any other relevant staffer by any other illicit means;

6. Deliberately providing false evidence or threatening or inducing others to provide false evidence, or obstructing the opposite party’s legal obtaining of evidence;

7. Instigating or abetting a party to settle disputes by such illegal means as disrupting the public order or compromising the public safety; or

8. Disrupting the order of a court or arbitral tribunal, or interfering with the normal conduct of litigation or arbitration.

　　第四十条　律师在执业活动中不得有下列行为：
　　（一）私自接受委托、收取费用，接受委托人的财物或者其他利益；
　　（二）利用提供法律服务的便利牟取当事人争议的权益；
　　（三）接受对方当事人的财物或者其他利益，与对方当事人或者第三人恶意串通，侵害委托人的权益；
　　（四）违反规定会见法官、检察官、仲裁员以及其他有关工作人员；
　　（五）向法官、检察官、仲裁员以及其他有关工作人员行贿，介绍贿赂或者指使、诱导当事人行贿，或者以其他不正当方式影响法官、检察官、仲裁员以及其他有关工作人员依法办理案件；
　　（六）故意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；
　　（七）煽动、教唆当事人采取扰乱公共秩序、危害公共安全等非法手段解决争议；
　　（八）扰乱法庭、仲裁庭秩序，干扰诉讼、仲裁活动的正常进行。
（相关资料: 修订沿革 相关论文1篇）

Article 41 A lawyer who once served as a judge or prosecutor shall not act as an agent ad litem or defender within two years after leaving his post in the people’s court or the people’s procuratorate.

　　第四十一条　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。
（相关资料: 修订沿革）

Article 42 Lawyers and law firms shall perform their obligations of legal aid according to the state provisions, provide the aided persons with standard legal services, and protect the legal rights and interests of the aided persons.

　　第四十二条　律师、律师事务所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。
（相关资料: 修订沿革）

Chapter V Lawyers’ Association

第五章　律师协会

Article 43 A lawyers’ association is a social organization as legal person and self-disciplinary organization of lawyers.

The All-China Lawyers’ Association shall be formed at the national level, while local lawyers’ associations shall be formed by provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government. Local lawyers’ associations may be formed as needed by cities with districts.

　　第四十三条　律师协会是社会团体法人，是律师的自律性组织。
　　全国设立中华全国律师协会，省、自治区、直辖市设立地方律师协会，设区的市根据需要可以设立地方律师协会。
（相关资料: 修订沿革 相关论文1篇）

Article 44 The Articles of Association of the All-China Lawyers’ Association shall be made by the National Congress of Members and submitted to the justice administrative authority of the State Council for archival purposes.

The articles of association of a local lawyers’ association shall be made by the local congress of members and submitted to the same-level justice administrative authority for archival purposes. The articles of association of a local lawyers’ association shall not conflict with the Articles of Association of the All-China Lawyers’ Association.

　　第四十四条　全国律师协会章程由全国会员代表大会制定，报国务院司法行政部门备案。
　　地方律师协会章程由地方会员代表大会制定，报同级司法行政部门备案。地方律师协会章程不得与全国律师协会章程相抵触。
（相关资料: 修订沿革 相关论文3篇）

Article 45 A lawyer or law firm shall join his or its local lawyers’ association. A lawyer or law firm that has joined his or its local lawyers’ association shall concurrently be a member of the All-China Lawyers’ Association.

The members of a lawyers’ association shall enjoy the rights as provided for by the articles of association of the lawyers’ association, and perform the obligations as provided for by the articles of association of the lawyers’ association.

　　第四十五条　律师、律师事务所应当加入所在地的地方律师协会。加入地方律师协会的律师、律师事务所，同时是全国律师协会的会员。
　　律师协会会员享有律师协会章程规定的权利，履行律师协会章程规定的义务。
（相关资料: 修订沿革 相关论文3篇）

Article 46 A lawyers’ association shall perform the following functions:

1. Safeguarding the practice of law by lawyers, and protecting the legal rights and interests of lawyers;

2. Summarizing and exchanging the work experience of lawyers;

3. Making a professional code and disciplinary rules;

4. Organizing the lawyer practice training and the education on professional ethics and practicing disciplines, and conducting the practicing assessment of lawyers;

5. Organizing and managing the internships of persons applying for the practice of law, and conducting the assessment of interns;

6. Rewarding or disciplining a lawyer or law firm;

7. Accepting a complaint or report on a lawyer, mediating disputes arising out of the practice of law by a lawyer, and accepting a petition by a lawyer; and

8. Other functions as provided for by laws, administrative regulations and rules and articles of association of a lawyers’ association.

The professional code and disciplinary rules made by a lawyers’ association shall not conflict with the relevant laws and administrative regulations and rules.

　　第四十六条　律师协会应当履行下列职责：
　　（一）保障律师依法执业，维护律师的合法权益；
　　（二）总结、交流律师工作经验；
　　（三）制定行业规范和惩戒规则；
　　（四）组织律师业务培训和职业道德、执业纪律教育，对律师的执业活动进行考核；
　　（五）组织管理申请律师执业人员的实习活动，对实习人员进行考核；
　　（六）对律师、律师事务所实施奖励和惩戒；
　　（七）受理对律师的投诉或者举报，调解律师执业活动中发生的纠纷，受理律师的申诉；
　　（八）法律、行政法规、规章以及律师协会章程规定的其他职责。
　　律师协会制定的行业规范和惩戒规则，不得与有关法律、行政法规、规章相抵触。
（相关资料: 修订沿革 相关论文4篇）

Chapter VI Legal Liability

第六章　法律责任

Article 47 For any of the following conduct of a lawyer, the justice administrative authority of the people’s government of a city with districts or the people’s government of a district of a municipality directly under the Central Government shall give a warning and may impose a fine of not more than 5,000 yuan; if there is any illegal income, shall confiscate the illegal income; and if the circumstances are serious, shall impose a penalty of cessation of practice for not more than three months:

1. Practicing law in two or more law firms at the same time;

2. Developing practices by illicit means;

3. Representing both parties in a same case, or representing a client in a legal affair that has any conflict of interest with himself or his close relative;

4. Serving as an agent ad litem or defender within two years after leaving his post in a people’s court or the people’s procuratorate; or

5. Refusing to perform his legal aid obligation.

　　第四十七条　律师有下列行为之一的，由设区的市级或者直辖市的区人民政府司法行政部门给予警告，可以处五千元以下的罚款；有违法所得的，没收违法所得；情节严重的，给予停止执业三个月以下的处罚：
　　（一）同时在两个以上律师事务所执业的；
　　（二）以不正当手段承揽业务的；
　　（三）在同一案件中为双方当事人担任代理人，或者代理与本人及其近亲属有利益冲突的法律事务的；
　　（四）从人民法院、人民检察院离任后二年内担任诉讼代理人或者辩护人的；
　　（五）拒绝履行法律援助义务的。
（相关资料: 地方法规1篇 修订沿革）

Article 48 For any of the following conduct of a lawyer, the justice administrative authority of the people’s government of a city with districts or the people’s government of a district of a municipality directly under the Central Government shall give a warning and may impose a fine of not more than 10,000 yuan; if there is any illegal income, shall confiscate the illegal income; and if the circumstances are serious, shall impose a penalty of cessation of practice for not less than three months but not more than six months:

1. Accepting authorization or charging fees privately, or accepting property or any other benefit from a client;

2. Refusing to defend or represent a client, or failing to appear before court in litigation or arbitration, without good reasons, after accepting authorization;

3. Seeking the disputed rights and interests of a party by taking advantage of the provision of legal services; or

4. Divulging a trade secret or personal privacy.

　　第四十八条　律师有下列行为之一的，由设区的市级或者直辖市的区人民政府司法行政部门给予警告，可以处一万元以下的罚款；有违法所得的，没收违法所得；情节严重的，给予停止执业三个月以上六个月以下的处罚：
　　（一）私自接受委托、收取费用，接受委托人财物或者其他利益的；
　　（二）接受委托后，无正当理由，拒绝辩护或者代理，不按时出庭参加诉讼或者仲裁的；
　　（三）利用提供法律服务的便利牟取当事人争议的权益的；
　　（四）泄露商业秘密或者个人隐私的。
（相关资料: 修订沿革）

Article 49 For any of the following conduct of a lawyer, the justice administrative authority of the people’s government of a city with districts or the people’s government of a district of a municipality directly under the Central Government shall impose a penalty of cessation of practice for not less than six months but not more than one year and may impose a fine of not more than 50,000 yuan; and if there is any illegal income, shall confiscate the illegal income; if the circumstances are serious, the justice administrative authority of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government shall revoke his lawyer’s practicing certificate; and if a crime is constituted, he shall be pursued for criminal liability:

1. Meeting a judge, prosecutor, arbitrator or any other relevant staffer in violation of provisions, or affecting the handling of a case according to law by a judge, prosecutor, arbitrator or any other relevant staffer by any other illicit means;

2. Bribing, bribing as an intermediary or instigating or inducing a party to bribe a judge, prosecutor, arbitrator or any other relevant staffer;

3. Providing the justice administrative authority with false materials or making any other falsehood;

4. Deliberately providing false evidence or threatening or inducing others to provide false evidence, or obstructing the opposite party’s legal obtaining of evidence;

5. Accepting property or any other benefit from the opposite party, maliciously colluding with the opposite party or a third party to infringe upon the rights and interests of a client;

6. Disrupting the order of a court or arbitral tribunal, or interfering with the normal conduct of litigation or arbitration.

7. Instigating a party to settle disputes by such illegal means as disrupting the public order or compromising the public safety;

8. Delivering a speech that compromising the national security, maliciously defaming others or seriously disrupting the court order; or

9. Divulging a national secret.

Where a criminal penalty is imposed on a lawyer for an intentional crime, the justice administrative authority of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government shall revoke his lawyer’s practicing certificate.

　　第四十九条　律师有下列行为之一的，由设区的市级或者直辖市的区人民政府司法行政部门给予停止执业六个月以上一年以下的处罚，可以处五万元以下的罚款；有违法所得的，没收违法所得；情节严重的，由省、自治区、直辖市人民政府司法行政部门吊销其律师执业证书；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任：
　　（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，或者以其他不正当方式影响依法办理案件的；
　　（二）向法官、检察官、仲裁员以及其他有关工作人员行贿，介绍贿赂或者指使、诱导当事人行贿的；
　　（三）向司法行政部门提供虚假材料或者有其他弄虚作假行为的；
　　（四）故意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的；
　　（五）接受对方当事人财物或者其他利益，与对方当事人或者第三人恶意串通，侵害委托人权益的；
　　（六）扰乱法庭、仲裁庭秩序，干扰诉讼、仲裁活动的正常进行的；
　　（七）煽动、教唆当事人采取扰乱公共秩序、危害公共安全等非法手段解决争议的；
　　（八）发表危害国家安全、恶意诽谤他人、严重扰乱法庭秩序的言论的；
　　（九）泄露国家秘密的。
　　律师因故意犯罪受到刑事处罚的，由省、自治区、直辖市人民政府司法行政部门吊销其律师执业证书。
（相关资料: 地方法规1篇 修订沿革）

Article 50 For any of the following conduct of a law firm, the justice administrative authority of the people’s government of a city with districts or the people’s government of a district of a municipality directly under the Central Government shall give a warning or impose a penalty of cessation of practice for correction for not less than one month but not more than six months and may impose a fine of not more than 100,000 yuan according to the circumstances; and if there is any illegal income, shall confiscate the illegal income; and if the circumstances are especially serious, the justice administrative authority of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government shall revoke the law firm’s practicing certificate:

1. Accepting authorization or charging fees in violation of provisions;

2. Handling such major matters as modification of its name, person in charge, articles of association, residence and partners in violation of statutory procedures;

3. Being engaged in business operations other than legal services;

4. Developing practices by defaming other law firms and lawyers, paying middleman fees and other illicit means;

5. Accepting cases with any conflict of interest in violation of provisions;

6. Refusing to perform its legal aid obligation;

7. Providing the justice administrative authority with false materials or making any other falsehood; or

8. Causing serous results for mismanagement of its lawyers.

Where a law firm is punished for any violation of law in the preceding paragraph, a warning shall be given to or a fine of not more than 20,000 yuan shall be imposed on the person in charge of the law firm according to the severity of circumstance.

　　第五十条　律师事务所有下列行为之一的，由设区的市级或者直辖市的区人民政府司法行政部门视其情节给予警告、停业整顿一个月以上六个月以下的处罚，可以处十万元以下的罚款；有违法所得的，没收违法所得；情节特别严重的，由省、自治区、直辖市人民政府司法行政部门吊销律师事务所执业证书：
　　（一）违反规定接受委托、收取费用的；
　　（二）违反法定程序办理变更名称、负责人、章程、合伙协议、住所、合伙人等重大事项的；
　　（三）从事法律服务以外的经营活动的；
　　（四）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的；
　　（五）违反规定接受有利益冲突的案件的；
　　（六）拒绝履行法律援助义务的；
　　（七）向司法行政部门提供虚假材料或者有其他弄虚作假行为的；
　　（八）对本所律师疏于管理，造成严重后果的。
　　律师事务所因前款违法行为受到处罚的，对其负责人视情节轻重，给予警告或者处二万元以下的罚款。
（相关资料: 地方法规1篇 修订沿革）

Article 51 Where, for any violation of this Law, a lawyer is again subject to a warning punishment within one year after being given a warning punishment, the justice administrative authority of the people’s government of a city with districts or the people’s government of a district of a municipality directly under the Central Government shall impose a penalty of cessation of practice for not less than three months but not more than one year; where a lawyer is again subject to a penalty of cessation of practice within two years after a period of penalty of cessation of practice expires, the justice administrative authority of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government shall revoke his lawyer’s practicing certificate.

Where, for any violation of this Law, a law firm is again subject to a penalty of cessation of practice for correction within two years after a period of penalty of cessation of practice for correction expires, the justice administrative authority of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government shall revoke the law firm’s practicing certificate.

　　第五十一条　律师因违反本法规定，在受到警告处罚后一年内又发生应当给予警告处罚情形的，由设区的市级或者直辖市的区人民政府司法行政部门给予停止执业三个月以上一年以下的处罚；在受到停止执业处罚期满后二年内又发生应当给予停止执业处罚情形的，由省、自治区、直辖市人民政府司法行政部门吊销其律师执业证书。
　　律师事务所因违反本法规定，在受到停业整顿处罚期满后二年内又发生应当给予停业整顿处罚情形的，由省、自治区、直辖市人民政府司法行政部门吊销律师事务所执业证书。

Article 52 The justice administrative authority of the people’s government at the county level shall conduct the daily supervision and management of the practice of law by lawyers and law firms, and order correction of the problems found in the inspection; and shall timely investigate complaints by the parties concerned. Deeming that an administrative punishment shall be imposed against any legal violation committed by a lawyer or a law firm, the justice administrative authority at the county level shall offer punishment suggestions to its superior justice administrative authority.

　　第五十二条　县级人民政府司法行政部门对律师和律师事务所的执业活动实施日常监督管理，对检查发现的问题，责令改正；对当事人的投诉，应当及时进行调查。县级人民政府司法行政部门认为律师和律师事务所的违法行为应当给予行政处罚的，应当向上级司法行政部门提出处罚建议。
（相关资料: 相关论文1篇）

Article 53 A lawyer on whom a penalty of cessation of practice for not less than six months has been imposed shall not serve as a partner until three years have passed after the period of penalty expires.

　　第五十三条　受到六个月以上停止执业处罚的律师，处罚期满未逾三年的，不得担任合伙人。

Article 54 Where a lawyer causes losses to a party for his illegal practice of law or fault, his law firm shall assume the compensatory liability. After compensation, the law firm may demand recourse from the lawyer who acts intentionally or has gross negligence.

　　第五十四条　律师违法执业或者因过错给当事人造成损失的，由其所在的律师事务所承担赔偿责任。律师事务所赔偿后，可以向有故意或者重大过失行为的律师追偿。
（相关资料: 修订沿革）

Article 55 Where a person without acquiring a lawyer’s practicing certificate engages in legal service practices in the name of lawyer, the justice administrative authority of the local people’s government at or above the county level at his locality shall order cessation of the illegal practice, confiscate illegal income, and impose a fine of not less than the amount but not more than five times the amount of illegal income.

　　第五十五条　没有取得律师执业证书的人员以律师名义从事法律服务业务的，由所在地的县级以上地方人民政府司法行政部门责令停止非法执业，没收违法所得，处违法所得一倍以上五倍以下的罚款。
（相关资料: 修订沿革）

Article 56 Where a staffer of the justice administrative authority abuses his powers or commits dereliction of duties in violation of this law, and constitutes a crime, he shall be pursued for criminal liability; where a crime is not constituted, a discipline shall be imposed on him according to law.

　　第五十六条　司法行政部门工作人员违反本法规定，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，依法给予处分。

Chapter VII Supplementary Provisions

第七章　附则

Article 57 In respect of military lawyers who provide legal services to the army, this law shall apply to their acquisition of the lawyer qualification, rights and obligations and code of conduct. The specific measures for the administration of military lawyers shall be made by the State Council and the Central Military Commission.

　　第五十七条　为军队提供法律服务的军队律师，其律师资格的取得和权利、义务及行为准则，适用本法规定。军队律师的具体管理办法，由国务院和中央军事委员会制定。
（相关资料: 修订沿革）

Article 58 The specific measures for the administration of establishment of offices by foreign law firms within the territory of the People’s Republic of China to provide legal services shall be made by the State Council.

　　第五十八条　外国律师事务所在中华人民共和国境内设立机构从事法律服务活动的管理办法，由国务院制定。
（相关资料: 修订沿革）

Article 59 The specific measures for charging lawyers’ fees shall be made by the competent price authority of the State Council in conjunction with the justice administrative authority of the State Council.

　　第五十九条　律师收费办法，由国务院价格主管部门会同国务院司法行政部门制定。
（相关资料: 修订沿革）

Article 60 This Law shall be effective as of June 1, 2008.

　　第六十条　本法自2008年6月1日起施行。

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（相关资料: 修订沿革）