After several weeks of mobilization and a nationwide protest, Moroccan lawyers officially resumed their activities this Monday, marking the end of a strike scheduled by the Moroccan Bar Association (ABAM).
The movement was initially triggered by controversial reforms affecting both the legal profession and the broader judicial system, which had led to the suspension of most hearings and pleadings throughout the Kingdom’s courts.
According to officials from ABAM, the mobilization served as a rejection of specific legislative provisions concerning civil procedure and new taxation rules for lawyers. The organization maintained that these measures compromised the independence of the defense and the guarantees of a fair trial, viewing the strike as a necessary means of pressure to initiate an institutional dialogue. Conversely, government sources defended the reforms as essential components of a modernization project designed to enhance procedural efficiency and tax transparency.
While consultation meetings have recently taken place between the Ministry of Justice and legal representatives, a formal, detailed agreement has not yet been made public. In the meantime, the strike has left a significant impact on the judicial front, with the postponement of numerous civil, criminal, and commercial cases. This has caused further delays for litigants in a system already struggling with a heavy backlog. Although activities have resumed, sector observers anticipate temporary scheduling challenges, and lawyers have indicated they remain attentive to the progress of ongoing discussions, leaving the door open for future action if no concrete results are achieved.
MK/AK/Sf/fss/abj/APA