Legal aid is available at no cost for cases such as wage disputes, alimony claims, and workplace injury compensation
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Anyone seeking unpaid wages, alimony, social insurance benefits, dibao payments, or compensation after acting in defense of others can apply for free legal assistance. Simply call 12348 or visit your local legal aid center. You no longer need to obtain proof of financial hardship from your hometown — just describe your situation honestly. For defendants facing the death penalty, or those who are blind, deaf, mute, or minors, a lawyer is assigned regardless of their financial status.
- Cost
- No cost at all. Legal aid services are provided free of charge to all applicants.
- Benefit
- According to national regulations, legal aid covers six main categories of civil cases: claims for state compensation; requests for social insurance or dibao benefits; applications for pensions or relief funds; demands for alimony, child support, or spousal maintenance; wage recovery claims; and civil claims arising from acts of bravery. In criminal cases, defendants facing capital punishment or those who are blind, deaf, mute, or minors are guaranteed legal representation irrespective of their financial circumstances.
- Notes
- The Legal Aid Law took effect on 1 January 2022, introducing one key change: applicants no longer need to submit official proof of financial hardship. A straightforward statement of one’s financial situation now suffices. Legal aid can be accessed via local legal aid centers, public legal service hubs, or by calling 12348.
Sources · 2
- 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）. gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2008-03/28/content_6…
- 司法部有关负责人 (2021). 就贯彻实施法律援助法答记者问. gov.cn/zhengce/2021-12/29/content_5665114.htm