A significant announcement was anticipated from the Moroccan Bar Association (ABM) regarding the ongoing strike that lawyers have been participating in since June, during its press conference held last Thursday. However, the outcome was not what many had hoped for, as the association decided to extend the suspension of professional services until the 20th of this month, which is just days before the upcoming legislative elections. This extension has been set as a deadline for another meeting of the ABM's executive board, which will assess the situation surrounding the crisis related to the legal profession's governing law and determine the subsequent steps to be taken. The board faces a crucial decision: whether to persist with the current form of protest, to alter the methods of their protest, or to explore alternative actions based on the developments in the interim.
As the deadlock concerning the reform of the legal profession remains unresolved, it is evident that the lawyers are intent on applying pressure on the incoming government. Some members of the legal community have expressed optimism that the elections will result in a government that meets their expectations and fulfills its commitments, thus opening the door for discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis related to the law that governs their profession.
In response to reports of dissent or differing opinions within the legal community regarding the continuation of the strike and the methods of protest, ABM President Houssine Ziani firmly dismissed these claims. He asserted that there are no divisions regarding the decisions made, emphasizing that the positions of the Association are reached through a consensus of its various members. Essentially, all decisions are made unanimously, according to him. However, the reality on the ground seems to paint a different picture, as an increasing number of lawyers from various bar associations are expressing a desire to return to work.
Regardless, the dispute appears to be at an impasse. The legal profession is rejecting many aspects of the proposed reform, particularly those related to financial governance, which has become a central issue fueling the lawyers' dissatisfaction. A contentious element of the new law introduces a groundbreaking measure that places lawyers' deposit and settlement accounts under the scrutiny of the Court of Auditors. This institution is tasked with ensuring compliance in financial transactions, and bar councils will be mandated to produce a comprehensive annual report detailing the management of these funds.
As reported by leconomiste.com.
