Morocco implements new legal profession law amid ongoing lawyers' strike

Morocco legal profession law lawyers strike Association of Bar Associations judicial reform Official Gazette

Morocco's new law regulating the legal profession (Law No. 66.23) has officially entered into force following its publication in the Official Gazette on August 20, 2026. The legislation, promulgated by King Mohammed VI, replaces the previous framework that had been in place for 17 years.

The new law introduces several significant changes, including requirements for applicants to hold at least a master's degree, mandatory annual continuing education of 20 hours, and the ability for lawyers to practice individually or through professional partnerships. It also allows foreign law firms to handle specific investment projects subject to ministerial authorization.

Despite the law's implementation, the legal community remains in turmoil. The Association of Bar Associations of Morocco has maintained an open-ended strike since June 15, protesting the legislative process and the content of the law. Lawyers argue that the new regulations undermine their professional independence and were drafted without sufficient stakeholder participation.

The Constitutional Court previously declined to rule on the law's constitutionality due to procedural irregularities in the referral process. While the Ministry of Justice views the law as a milestone in modernizing the justice system, the ongoing strike continues to cause paralysis within Moroccan courts.

Entities

Association of Bar Associations of Morocco · Constitutional Court of Morocco · King Mohammed VI · Ministry of Justice · Mohammed VI · Morocco

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The law requires lawyers to complete at least 20 hours of continuing education annually. barlamantoday.com · www.akhbarona.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Applicants for the legal profession must hold at least a master's degree. barlamantoday.com · www.akhbarona.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The Constitutional Court was unable to rule on the law's constitutionality due to procedural issues. www.taroudantpress.com · lakome2.com · www.akhbarona.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Moroccan lawyers have been on an open-ended strike since June 15. lemaroc360.com
[DISPUTED] The Association of Bar Associations continues to protest and boycott court services. lemaroc360.com · www.taroudantpress.com · www.akhbarona.com
[● 5 SOURCES] The law was published in Official Gazette issue number 7536 on August 20, 2026. www.taroudantpress.com · assafir24.ma · barlamantoday.com · lakome2.com · www.akhbarona.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The new law allows foreign law firms to handle certain investment projects with ministerial authorization. barlamantoday.com
[● 6 SOURCES] Law No. 66.23 regulating the legal profession has officially entered into force. lemaroc360.com · www.taroudantpress.com · assafir24.ma · barlamantoday.com · lakome2.com · +1 more