Moroccan Parliament Approves New Law Regulating Notary Profession

Morocco's House of Representatives has approved a new law governing the profession of "Adouls," who function as public notaries in the country. The legislation, passed by a majority vote in the Justice, Legislation, Human Rights, and Freedoms Committee, aims to align the profession with constitutional requirements following a ruling by the Constitutional Court.

In mid-June, the Constitutional Court declared several provisions of the previous law regulating Adouls unconstitutional. These specific concerns related to the number of witnesses required for certain legal acts and procedures for receiving contracts from individuals unable to speak or hear. In response, the government drafted a new bill, which was subsequently approved by the government council and fast-tracked to parliament.

The revised law introduces significant changes, including Article 8, which grants an Adoul 30 days to notify the head of the regional council if they are in a situation of conflict of interest. They are then given three months to take the necessary steps to end this conflict, all under the supervision of a disciplinary committee to be established within the justice authority.

This legislative move is crucial for ensuring the legal framework surrounding notarial services in Morocco remains compliant with the constitution. The process involved swift action from the government and parliamentary committees to address the court's concerns and ensure the continued functioning of the Adoul profession.