Moroccan lawyers consider Royal arbitration as they extend strike over legal profession law

Moroccan lawyers are considering asking for royal arbitration as they continue an open-ended nationwide strike against the newly adopted law regulating the legal profession, although no formal decision has been made, according to Hespress sources familiar with a meeting of the Association of Moroccan Bar Associations.

The association unanimously agreed Monday to continue suspending judicial work until further notice during a meeting in Rabat. 

The group’s executive office also decided to keep its meeting open as the standoff with the government continues.

The possibility of writing to the Royal Cabinet to seek royal arbitration was discussed during the meeting, the sources said, but no official or final decision was reached.

The strike is part of lawyers’ ongoing protest against Law No. 66.23 regulating the legal profession, which was recently approved by Parliament and referred to the Constitutional Court for review before it can be promulgated.

Abdelaziz Rouibeh, president of the Rabat Bar Association and a member of the association’s executive office said the decision to extend the strike took into account “a number of developments, events and considerations” that had unfolded in recent weeks.

Rouibeh said lawyers viewed Parliament’s decision to refer the law to the Constitutional Court as “an important step,” adding that they have confidence in the institution and remain optimistic about its ruling.

At the same time, he said that the heart of the dispute is political rather than legal.

“The real problem is political with the government,” Rouibeh said, adding authorities had failed to seek a solution despite weeks of work stoppages.

He also accused the government of targeting the legal profession through both legislation and what he described as dismissive rhetoric toward lawyers and their role.

According to Rouibeh, disagreements between lawyers and previous governments had never reached the current level of confrontation, noting that the government had mishandled its relationship with the legal defense profession.

Rouibeh said King Mohammed VI has repeatedly called for seriousness, ethical governance and reform in his speeches, adding that lawyers believe they have not been given enough room to advance that vision within the current legislative process.

Rouibeh dismissed reports that smaller bar associations had pushed for the strike extension, saying the decision was reached unanimously after what he described as detailed discussions among all participating bar associations.