The recently enacted law governing the legal profession in Morocco has officially come into effect following its publication in the official gazette (number 7536 dated 7 Rabi' al-Awwal 1448 corresponding to August 20, 2026). This publication marks the culmination of a lengthy political and professional debate surrounding the regulation of lawyers, often referred to as those in the 'black robes'. This law represents a pivotal moment in the modernization of the legal framework, aimed at enhancing the independence of the profession and updating the mechanisms of practice to ensure improved judicial efficiency and governance.
One of the most significant updates introduced by this law is the positive transformation of the conditions for entry and professional qualification. The legislation stipulates the establishment of a specialized institute for lawyer training, where aspiring lawyers must pass an entrance examination and complete a year of theoretical foundational training to obtain a competence certificate. Furthermore, the law sets the minimum age for taking the examination at 21 years and the maximum at 45 years, requiring candidates to hold a master’s degree or a diploma in advanced legal studies or Islamic law. In addition to regulating the internship period, which is set at 24 months, the law mandates an annual compulsory continuing education system, allowing for specialization that grants the title of 'Specialized Lawyer'.
The new legislation also provides various options for practicing law and expanding competencies, including individual practice, partnerships between two law firms, coexistence, and professional civil companies, alongside international cooperation under specific regulations, while stipulating that offices are limited to one within national territory. In this context, the roles of lawyers have expanded to include the provision of legal consultations, drafting corporate contracts, and engaging in arbitration and mediation, while representation in all courts of the kingdom is restricted to lawyers registered with the respective bar associations.
Moreover, the new law has established governance and transparency measures within the bar associations, particularly concerning the management of deposits and payments by lawyers, and the methods for managing these funds are subject to oversight by the Supreme Audit Council to ensure financial transparency. It also mandates the retention of a written mandate from clients to define fees and ensure the rights of both parties. Affirming the principles of democracy and equality, the legislation allocates a quota for women within the councils of professional associations and limits the term of the bar president to three years, non-renewable, with a requirement of at least twenty years of practice in the profession to run for this position.
As reported by elaph.com.
