The Association of Bar Associations in Morocco announced that several bar leaders intend to hold extraordinary general assemblies to submit their resignations, amid ongoing discussions surrounding draft law 66.23 concerning the legal profession. In a statement released after an emergency meeting attended by all bar presidents, the Association also stated that it would refrain from overseeing any professional elections during the current and upcoming period.
According to the statement, the meeting of the Association’s bureau will remain open in order to monitor developments related to the draft law, while continuing efforts to defend the profession’s institutions and its independence within the broader parliamentary debate over the proposed legislation.
The Association further expressed reservations regarding certain amendments linked to the draft law, particularly oral amendments introduced during discussions that, according to the statement, concern provisions related to the profession’s independence and internal governance. The statement also referred to the rejection of amendments proposed by parliamentary groups from both the majority and opposition.
At the same time, the Association praised the Prime Minister’s engagement with proposals submitted during the amendment phase and acknowledged the positions expressed by several political actors in support of preserving the legal profession’s role and principles within Morocco’s justice system.
The statement added that bar leaders had defended the principle of balanced representation for young lawyers and women within professional councils, while also supporting the limitation of the bar president’s mandate to a single term as part of promoting institutional rotation and professional cohesion.