Moroccan lawyers lean toward ending strike after government assurances

The majority of Moroccan bar associations are signaling a move to suspend their ongoing strike and resume legal activities. The strike, initiated in protest of a "draft law on the legal profession," has seen a significant shift in sentiment among lawyers nationwide.

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The general trend within the bar associations nationwide is to resume activity.

Sources indicate that an upcoming meeting on Monday, scheduled for 10 a.m. at the headquarters of the Moroccan Bar Associations, is anticipated to yield a decision for lawyers to return to their duties. This potential return to work is partly attributed to "government assurances" provided to the Moroccan Bar Associations by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, which are expected to ease tensions.

Further mediation efforts between the government and the bar associations have reportedly secured commitments from the Prime Minister. These assurances include a pledge not to convene an extraordinary session of the House of Representatives to re-discuss the law if the Constitutional Court deems parts of it unconstitutional. Such a ruling would defer further deliberation to the next government and parliament following the September 23 elections.

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Government assurances contributed to easing the atmosphere.

While a planned meeting between Akhannouch and the head of the bar associations, Dean Hussein Ziyani, was postponed due to a French delegation's visit and Ziyani's personal travel, the mediation committee has conveyed the Prime Minister's commitments. This has reportedly generated relief among lawyers, with the government committed to respecting any decision made by the Constitutional Court.

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The government commits to not calling an extraordinary session if the Constitutional Court rules against the law.

Many lawyers view the referral of the draft law to the Constitutional Court as a signal to resume their professional services. They express hope that the court's ruling will be fair and uphold the profession's core principles, particularly independence and immunity. The bar associations' executive office is set to review the matter on Monday.

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The decision to refer the draft law to the Constitutional Court is a message to resume professional services.