The recent amendment to the Moroccan lawyer profession law represents a significant shift in the legal landscape, particularly for Moroccan lawyers practicing in foreign countries such as France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, and beyond. This new regulation explicitly permits these legal professionals to establish offices in Morocco without having to relinquish their ongoing practices outside the kingdom. This innovative provision is encapsulated in Article 36 of the _[Law 66.23 published in the Official Bulletin No. 7536 on August 20, 2026](https://www.sgg.gov.ma/BO/AR/3111/2026/BO_7536_Ar.pdf)_, which aims to accommodate Moroccan nationals who are actively and continuously practicing law in one or more foreign jurisdictions.
Under this new framework, Moroccan lawyers have the opportunity to set up an additional office in Morocco, utilizing one of the operational forms outlined in Article 26 of the law. However, there is a critical stipulation: the lawyer must be registered with one of the professional bar associations in Morocco. This requirement serves to ensure that the legal standards and practices within Morocco are upheld while allowing for the integration of international legal expertise.
One of the most groundbreaking aspects of Article 36 is that it enables lawyers to retain their professional registration and continue their practice in their foreign offices. For instance, a Moroccan attorney based in France can maintain their French legal practice while simultaneously opening a professional office in Morocco, provided they meet the conditions stipulated by the law. This flexibility extends beyond Europe, as the law specifies the possibility of practicing in “one or more foreign countries,” thus allowing Moroccan lawyers based in other parts of the world to benefit from this dual practice arrangement.
Maintaining Foreign Operations
This new regulation does not mean that any Moroccan lawyer residing abroad can automatically set up an office within the kingdom. Instead, it requires that the lawyer is already engaged in effective and continuous practice outside of Morocco, followed by the necessary registration with a Moroccan bar association. This combination of requirements is pivotal, as it allows for the coexistence of foreign legal practice and a presence in Morocco without forcing the lawyer to abandon their existing international work.
Such cross-border legal practice is particularly timely, given that [the regulations for enforcing foreign judgments in Morocco are also set to change](https://www.bladi.net/mre-maroc-change-regles-jugements-obtenus-etranger,122998.html) starting August 24. Legal matters involving both Morocco and the primary countries where many Moroccans reside abroad are thus subject to several upcoming legal evolutions.
Furthermore, Law 66.23 encompasses a broader reform of the legal profession, addressing various aspects such as fee regulation and the attorney-client relationship, which were part of the changes anticipated prior to its final adoption. For Moroccan lawyers established abroad, Article 36 introduces a tangible alteration to their professional landscape: they no longer face the dilemma of choosing between maintaining their international practice and establishing a presence in Morocco. Subject to fulfilling the legal requirements, they can now successfully integrate both avenues into their careers.
As reported by bladi.net.
