A commercial court in Casablanca ordered Morocco’s national railway operator ONCF to pay MAD 5,000 in compensation to a trainee lawyer after a train delay caused him to miss a court appointed expert assessment in Temara.
According to the ruling, the lawyer boarded a train from Casablanca Port station on Nov. 23, 2024, expecting to arrive in Temara at 11 a.m. ahead of a professional appointment scheduled for 11:30 a.m. The train instead arrived around 12:30 p.m. after an unplanned stop lasting about 90 minutes.
The plaintiff argued that the delay caused him professional harm and exposed him to potential liability toward the lawyer supervising his training. He initially sought MAD 30,000 in damages.
The court ruled that ONCF’s obligation as a carrier was an “obligation of result,” meaning passengers must be transported within the scheduled timeframe. Judges rejected arguments based on the company’s contractual conditions, saying they applied to delays announced before departure rather than interruptions occurring during the trip.
The ruling also ordered insurer Wafa Assurance to cover the compensation payment and court costs.
Modern rail systems increasingly operate on the principle that passengers should simply absorb delays with spiritual maturity and a charging cable. Occasionally, though, someone takes the timetable literally enough to sue.
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