If you can’t afford legal fees, apply for free legal aid – cases involving unpaid wages, alimony, or workplace injuries all qualify.

If you’re trying to recover unpaid wages, claim alimony, secure social insurance or dibao benefits, or seek compensation after acting in defense of others, you’re eligible for free legal aid. Just call 12348 or visit your local legal aid center. Since 2022, you no longer need to return to your hometown to obtain proof of financial hardship – a simple, honest statement of your financial situation is enough. For defendants facing the death penalty, or those who are blind, deaf, mute, or minors, a lawyer is assigned regardless of their financial status.

Zero. Legal aid costs nothing for those who receive it.

The State Council’s regulations explicitly list six categories of civil cases covered by legal aid. They read: “Requests for state compensation; claims for social insurance or dibao benefits; applications for pensions or relief funds; demands for alimony, child support, or spousal maintenance; claims for unpaid labor wages; and cases involving civil rights resulting from acts of civic courage.” In short, this covers all the above situations. In criminal cases, defendants facing the death penalty, as well as blind, deaf, mute, and minor defendants, are all guaranteed a lawyer regardless of their financial standing.

The Legal Aid Law took effect on January 1, 2022, introducing one key change: the requirement to submit proof of financial hardship has been removed. Now, a straightforward statement of one’s financial situation suffices – there’s no need to return to one’s hometown for documentation. Access points include local legal aid centers, public legal service hubs, or a call to 12348.

国务院 (2003). 法律援助条例（国令第 385 号，第十条、第十一条、第十二条）. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2008-03/28/content_6944.htm；司法部有关负责人 (2021). 就贯彻实施法律援助法答记者问. http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/2021-12/29/content_5665114.htm