In a joint statement, the two parties welcomed the frank and constructive discussions, which lasted several hours, covering all issues, during which the Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, underlined the importance and status of the profession of lawyer and its pivotal position within the Moroccan judicial system.
The lawyers, for their part, underlined the importance of the participatory approach in the implementation of reform programs, including those related to the legislative field. During this meeting, several points were discussed concerning the bills relating to justice and the legal profession, as well as the issues arising therefrom.
At the end of these discussions, the two parties agreed to continue discussions on legislative texts relating to the legal profession. At the end of the said meeting, it was decided to institutionalize the dialogue between the Ministry of Justice and the Moroccan Bar Association, via the creation of a dedicated thematic Commission, responsible for examining the draft laws according to an agreed agenda, with a recording of the work in minutes that can be consulted if necessary.
The agreement also includes the opening of discussions on other issues that the minister is committed to following in collaboration with all parties concerned. The launch of these meetings is scheduled for this Monday, November 11. However, one can’t help but wonder, is the lawyer crisis on the way to being resolved?
To tell the truth, nothing has yet been decided by the black robes, who organized, on Sunday, a meeting dedicated to examining the results of the last meeting of the Bar Association with the Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi.
At the end of this meeting, it was decided to maintain their protest program, in particular the open strike, until the conclusions of the work of the Commissions set up for this purpose were evaluated. This work should result in the signing of minutes relating to the points of the agreement, thus putting an end to the crisis which has shaken the courts for weeks.
Joined on this subject, El Houcine Ziani, president of the Moroccan Bar Association, underlined the decisive nature of the meetings planned from this Monday, believing that they will be crucial to guarantee a return to normal in the courts.
As a reminder, the Moroccan Bar Association has decided, unanimously of its members, to boycott civil, criminal, commercial and administrative hearings, as well as procedures of all types, from November 1, 2024 until further notice. They demand the opening of dialogue concerning the civil procedure bill, the provisions of which are considered contrary to the right to justice.
