Unexpected Return of Lawyers to Court Amidst Ongoing Protests
On the morning of September 1, 2026, a notable shift occurred within the Casablanca Bar as a group of lawyers, including former Justice Minister Mustapha Ramid, made their way back to the appeal court. This unexpected return comes in stark contrast to the ongoing general strike called by the Moroccan Bar Association in opposition to a newly enacted law regulating the legal profession. Such a development highlights the growing fractures within the judiciary in response to this controversial legislation, as reported by _Al Ahdath Al Maghribia_ on September 2, 2026.
The group’s decision to resume their professional duties at the courthouse represents a significant departure from the directives issued by the Moroccan Bar Association, which had urged a continued strike to contest the new legal framework following its official enactment. This dissenting action was marked by the symbolic presence of Mustapha Ramid, accompanied by several former bar presidents and prominent legal figures, drawing considerable attention from court officials. During their visit, these lawyers engaged with various judicial authorities, reflecting a clear intent to return to their daily work, diverging from the collective stance advocated by their governing bodies.
Backdrop of Legal Tensions and Future Implications
This return to the courtrooms coincides with the Moroccan Bar Association's efforts to sustain pressure against the new law. In an extraordinary session held on August 27 in Rabat, followed by a public statement on August 28, the association outlined a series of protest actions aimed at highlighting procedural flaws in the legislative process of the law, even prior to its publication in the official bulletin. The representatives of the bar believe that this legal framework ushers in a new phase of direct confrontation with the Ministry of Justice, as noted in _Al Ahdath Al Maghribia_.
Meanwhile, the Casablanca Bar had reiterated its commitment to a complete strike, citing the inability of the Constitutional Court to rule on the law's compliance due to procedural irregularities affecting the appeal. However, the official publication of the law in the official bulletin under number 7536, dated August 20, has reinforced the regulatory framework, paving the way for immediate implementation. The Constitutional Court's ruling on August 26 deemed the appeal inadmissible, thus allowing Law No. 66.23, as approved by Parliament, to take effect.
This new legislation clarifies the definition of the legal profession, emphasizing its nature as a liberal and independent activity that contributes to the realization of justice and the defense of human rights and freedoms. The text reaffirms the criteria for registration in the country’s bar associations and establishes the requirements of integrity, independence, honor, and adherence to the ethical traditions expected of all practitioners.
As deep divisions continue to unfold within the legal community, the coming days are poised to be crucial. The individual actions of this group of lawyers, led by Mustapha Ramid, may extend and gradually shift the collective protest into a sporadic return to courtrooms, even as ongoing internal discussions about the implications of this new regulation continue to stir the profession.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
