Civil and administrative legal aid can be applied for when there are civil or administrative disputes. An application for legal aid in criminal cases shall be filed

(1) by the suspect or the defendant during the course of investigation, examination, adjudication or compulsory medical treatment.

(2) by the victim of a public prosecution, or his or her legal representative or near relative after the case has been transferred to the procuratorate.

(3) by the private prosecutor or his or her legal representative after the case has been accepted by the people's court.