Casablanca Lawyers Join Indefinite Strike Over Proposed Legal Profession Law

Courts in Casablanca ground to a halt Wednesday as the city's lawyers joined an indefinite strike. The action, called by the Moroccan Association of Bar Associations, follows a nationwide protest against a proposed law regulating the legal profession.

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Casablanca and its lawyers are engaged in this protest action approved by the Association, and a date for its end has not been set, as it will continue until a new decision is made by the Association.

The Casablanca Bar Association's council decided to suspend professional services "until further notice." The head of the association, Mohamed Hissi, confirmed that Casablanca's lawyers are participating in the protest, which will continue until the association decides otherwise. He noted that no date has been set for its end.

Hissi stated that the association has not received any communication from the government or the legislative body reviewing the draft law. He emphasized that lawyers will continue their escalating actions. The association believes the draft law, specifically provisions like raising the age of entry to 50 and requiring continuous training overseen by an institute, contradicts the constitution and international agreements. They also argue it compromises the fundamental right to defense.

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The Casablanca Bar Association considers the provisions contained in draft law No. 66.23 concerning the regulation of the legal profession to be contrary to the provisions of the constitution and relevant international conventions, and an infringement of the principles that founded the right to defense.

The council expressed surprise at amendments accepted by the Justice, Legislation, and Human Rights Committee in the House of Councilors. They criticized provisions that they claim waste professional time, such as those dictating the date of acquiring the right to plead before the Court of Cassation. The association also pointed to the repeated drafting and amendment of rules concerning the self-regulation of bar associations, suggesting the legislative process occurred without proper impact and feasibility studies. They concluded that some amendments appear to be based on legislative favoritism.

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The legislative procedure that marked the path of the draft law on the profession was carried out far from the controls of legislation, perhaps the most important of which is the study of impact and feasibility.