On November 10, the Shanghai Jinshan District Bureau of Justice released a guide titled “How to Obtain Legal Aid.”

11月10日，上海市金山区司法局发布了一份名为“如何获得法律援助”的指南。

When facing legal matters in China, understanding how to access professional legal support is crucial—regardless of one’s nationality. China’s legal aid system provides free assistance to eligible individuals. The following information outlines key eligibility criteria and application channels.

在中国面临法律事务时，了解如何获得专业法律支持至关重要——无论其国籍。中国的法律援助系统为符合条件的个人提供免费帮助。以下信息概述了关键的资格标准和申请渠道。

1. Criminal Cases

1. 刑事案件

Criminal suspects or defendants who fall under any of the following categories and have not appointed a defense counsel are entitled to designated legal aid:

属于以下类别且未委托辩护人的犯罪嫌疑人或被告人有权获得指定的法律援助：

(1)Minors;

(1)未成年人；

(2)Persons with visual, hearing, or speech disabilities;

(2)视力、听力或言语残疾人；

(3)Adults who are unable to fully recognize or control their own conduct;

(3)不能完全辨认或控制自己行为的成年人；

(4)Persons who may face life imprisonment or the death penalty;

(4)可能面临无期徒刑或死刑的人；

(5)Defendants applying for legal aid in death sentence review cases;

(5)在死刑复核案件中申请法律援助的被告人；

(6)Defendants tried in absentia;

(6)缺席受审的被告人；

(7)Other individuals as prescribed by laws and regulations.

(7)法律法规规定的其他人员。

If a criminal suspect or defendant cannot afford to hire a lawyer or faces other difficulties, they or their close relatives may apply to a legal aid institution for assistance.

如果犯罪嫌疑人或被告人无法聘请律师或面临其他困难，他们或其近亲属可以向法律援助机构申请帮助。

2. Civil Cases

2. 民事案件

For foreigners and stateless persons, the provision of legal aid in civil cases follows Chinese law. Where no specific provisions exist, the relevant rules may apply by reference, in accordance with international treaties jointly concluded or acceded to by their home country and China, or based on the principle of reciprocity.

对于外国人和无国籍人，民事案件中的法律援助提供遵循中国法律。如果没有具体规定，可以根据其国籍国与中国共同缔结或参加的国际条约的相关规则适用，或者基于互惠原则。

3. How to Access Legal Aid

3. 如何获得法律援助

The Ministry of Justice of the People’s Republic of China has established a national Legal Aid Center. Individuals can seek assistance through the following channels:

中华人民共和国司法部设立了全国法律援助中心。个人可以通过以下渠道寻求帮助：

(1) Online Consultation

(1)在线咨询

Visit the China Legal Services Network (https://www.12348.gov.cn/#/homepage).

访问中国法律服务网（https://www.12348.gov.cn/#/homepage）。

The WeChat mini program “China Legal Services Network” also provides legal consultation, legal aid, and related services.

微信小程序“中国法律服务网”也提供法律咨询、法律援助及相关服务。

(2) Hotline Consultation

(2)热线咨询

Call 12348, the national legal consultation hotline approved by the Ministry of Justice. Lawyers assigned by local justice bureaus provide round-the-clock consultation through this service.

拨打12348，这是经司法部批准的全国法律咨询热线。当地司法局指派的律师通过这项服务提供全天候咨询。