Morocco’s lawyers back to court after suspension of govt bill

CASABLANCA - Hearings resumed Monday in courts across Morocco after several days of disruption caused by a lawyers' strike protesting Bill No. 66.23, which governs the legal profession.

Several lawyers welcomed the decision to return to work after the government granted their request to suspend the submission of the bill to Parliament in the version originally presented by the Ministry of Justice.

Lawyers expressed hope for a consensus-based agreement regarding the new legislation for the legal profession.

However, the legal community remains focused on the joint commission formed between the Association of Moroccan Bar Associations (ABAM) and the Head of Government to reach a final agreement on the bill.

Lawyers hope that the dialogue would lead to a satisfactory and consensual result, warning against a "setback" should the government fail to react positively to the legitimate demands of the legal profession.

Next steps in dialogue

The first formal dialogue session between the government and the lawyers began last Friday, following an agreement reached with Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch during a meeting last Wednesday, which led to the decision not to submit Bill No. 66.23 to Parliament in its current form.

The President of the ABAM confirmed that the joint commission meeting held on Friday was dedicated to establishing a methodology and work program. It was agreed that substantive discussions would officially begin next week.

The ABAM is proposing an alternative reform architecture. Key pillars of their demands include exclusive disciplinary power by maintaining discipline as a matter handled solely by bar authorities.

Other demands are professional training, ensuring continuing education is led by the profession itself, and increased transparency for access to the Court of Cassation without ministerial oversight.