litigation representative

A litigation master or sòngshī (訟師) was a person who supported lawsuits by common people in pre-modern China. Litigation masters did not engage in courtroom advocacy. Instead, they made a living by writing legal documents for ordinary people with low literacy skills, as well as by receiving settlement money from the other party. Unlike modern lawyers, their profession was not recognized by the state. Litigation masters were frequently blamed for inciting litigation and the practice of the profession was at times outlawed. In popular literature litigation masters were often portrayed as defenders of the wronged and vulnerable. Some leaders of rebellions were also litigation masters.