Morocco's Council of Advisors approves reform of the legal profession

The Council of Advisors (Upper House) voted by a majority to adopt Law No. 66, which reorganises the legal profession in Morocco. The approved text incorporates 48 amendments covering 35 articles. Key changes include raising the maximum age for candidates to sit for the entry examination from 45 to 50 years and extending eligibility to graduates of both law and Sharia faculties. A new training pathway creates a "lawyer‑student" status followed by a one‑year basic programme at a specialised institute and a 24‑month supervised practice period. The law also revises the governance of bar associations, splitting electoral constituencies into two groups and setting council sizes according to the number of members, while guaranteeing at least one representative from each appellate court. Financial oversight is tightened, with lawyers' deposit accounts placed under the Supreme Audit Council’s scrutiny. Additional provisions enhance women’s representation in professional bodies, limit the bar‑president’s term, and tighten disciplinary procedures, including a mandatory notice to the bar‑president when a lawyer is arrested. The reforms aim to modernise the justice system, improve transparency and strengthen public confidence in legal services.