On August 20, 2026, Morocco officially enacted Law No. 66.23, which regulates the legal profession, following its publication in the official gazette of the Kingdom, issue number 7536, and under the royal decree number 1.26.75 issued on August 18, 2026. This milestone comes after a prolonged period of disputes and protests between lawyers and the Ministry of Justice, underscoring the contentious nature of legal reforms in the country. The publication of this law occurs amid an ongoing suspension of professional services, as declared by the Moroccan Bar Association, which has opted to maintain this stance for the time being.
The official announcement of the law has incited a flurry of responses from various legal practitioners, who took to social media platforms like Facebook to express their diverse opinions and sentiments regarding this significant development. Among those who voiced their views is lawyer Mohamed El-Haini, who pointedly remarked in a brief post that the royal decree to implement the law is being challenged by “strange and malevolent forces” advocating for civil disobedience, highlighting the tensions that envelop the legal community.
In a more extensive commentary, lawyer Sabri Lhhu, a member of the Meknes Bar Council responsible for cultural affairs, posed critical questions in his article titled “After the Publication of the Law on the Legal Profession: What Are Our Mistakes?” He contended that this juncture compels lawyers to pause and evaluate what has been achieved through their protest efforts. Lhhu acknowledged that while the lawyers have demonstrated remarkable unity, resilience, and sacrifice, he believes it is essential to recognize that the demands that prompted their activism have not been fully realized, especially with the law now in effect.
Lhhu drew an analogy to a palace that lacks a clearly defined exit strategy, suggesting that the legal community now finds itself trapped within the current circumstances. He urged for a reassessment of protest strategies, advocating for a shift away from approaches that he feels have exhausted their intended purpose. Furthermore, he criticized the portrayal of the legal profession during the crisis, asserting that lawyers should maintain their relationship with institutions and public opinion, emphasizing their role within the legal framework rather than as outsiders.
According to Lhhu, the promulgation of the law does not signify the end of the debate; he argues that there remains potential for the law to be amended or repealed. He insisted that lawyers still possess legal and constitutional avenues to defend their positions, calling for a “redistribution” of efforts rather than succumbing to despair and defeat.
Meanwhile, lawyer Fatima Zahra Ibrahim, from the Casablanca Bar, who has been contacted multiple times but had previously chosen not to respond, finally articulated her stance through a post. She highlighted the Justice Ministry’s announcement regarding continued collaboration with various stakeholders, particularly the Bar Associations, to ensure the law is implemented and to revisit the related regulatory texts.
Ibrahim advocated for the Casablanca Bar Association to heed this call, urging them to lift the ongoing work stoppage and engage in the implementation phase of the law. She views this period as an opportunity for lawyers to participate in shaping the operational details that will determine the future of the profession, particularly concerning entry into the profession, training, and ongoing education.
On a legal analysis note, lawyer Najib Al-Adadi provided his insights regarding the law's enforcement. He suggested that the conclusion of the legislative process marks the beginning of a “test of execution,” especially given that the law has come into effect amid ongoing disputes between the Ministry of Justice and the Bar Association. Al-Adadi pointed out that the Constitutional Court had declared the impossibility of adjudicating on the matter, interpreting this statement as not a ruling on the essence of the law's constitutionality. He asserted that the implementation of the law does not preclude ongoing discussions regarding its provisions through available legal means.
He further emphasized that this new phase necessitates a balance between the independence of the legal profession, the rights of defense, the rights of litigants, and the continuity of the justice sector, indicating a transition of the struggle from legislation to the practical application and evaluation of the law's outcomes.
In light of these developments, “Goud” attempted to reach out to various lawyers to gauge their positions on the law's official publication and the potential future of the work stoppage, as well as whether lawyers in Casablanca would return to work. However, responses were scarce, with some evading providing a clear stance, citing the ongoing strike as a reason.
As reported by goud.ma.
