According to Article 34 of the Criminal Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC), if lawyers, people's organizations, citizens recommended by the defendant's unit, guardians, relatives and friends of the defendant are entrusted as defenders, the people's court shall verify their identity certificates and power of attorney.

The subject of court defense is not limited to lawyers, but also includes people's organizations, citizens recommended by the defendant's unit, guardians of the defendant, relatives and friends, etc. Citizens recommended by people's organizations and the defendant's unit, and the defendant's guardians, relatives and friends who are entrusted as defendants' defenders may appear in court to defend themselves with the approval of the court. In addition, the defendant has the right to defend himself.