According to the law, the parties may entrust an agent to participate in the litigation. Entrusting an agent to sign a mediation agreement requires special authorization from the parties. A mediation agreement signed by a specially authorized agent has the same legal effect as that signed by the parties themselves.
The parties may entrust lawyers, legal workers, close relatives, citizens recommended by their communities, units and relevant social organizations as agents. Close relatives include parents, spouses and children, and son-in-law is generally not considered as close relatives. If you entrust a close relative, you need to submit a copy of your ID card, power of attorney, proof of kinship and other materials to the court.
Relevant provisions of the Civil Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC):
Article 58 A party or legal representative may entrust one or two persons as agents ad litem.
The following persons may be entrusted as agents ad litem:
(1) Lawyers and grassroots legal service workers;
(2) Close relatives or staff members of the parties concerned;
(three) citizens recommended by the community, units and relevant social groups where the parties are located.
Article 59 To entrust another person to represent the lawsuit, a power of attorney signed or sealed by the client must be submitted to the people's court.
The power of attorney must specify the entrusted matters and authority. An agent ad litem must have the special authorization of the client, and can admit, waive or change the claim, make a settlement, file a counterclaim or appeal on his behalf.