A new law reorganizes the legal profession in Morocco and repeals the 2008 law

The Kingdom of Morocco has issued a new law reorganizing the legal profession via Dahir No. 1.26.75 issued on 5 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1448 (August 18, 2026), implementing Law No. 66.23 relating to the organization of the legal profession. The text was published in the Official Gazette No. 7536 dated 7 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1448 (August 20, 2026), p. 5384, within the general texts section, and was countersigned by the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch.

The law comes after the approval of the House of Representatives and the House of Councilors, and after reviewing the Constitutional Court decision No. 26/277 M.D. issued on 26 Safar 1448 (August 10, 2026), which declared “the impossibility of ruling on the referral aimed at considering the conformity of Law No. 66.23 with the Constitution as it stands.” The new text repeals Law No. 28.08 relating to the amendment of the law organizing the legal profession, implemented by Dahir No. 1.08.101 dated October 20, 2008.

Conditions for Entry into the Profession

The law defines new conditions for entry into the legal profession, as it may only be practiced by a lawyer registered in the roll of one of the bar associations or a trainee lawyer listed on the training roll. The candidacy requirements include:

• Being Moroccan or a citizen of a state that has an agreement with Morocco allowing the practice of the profession, taking into account the principle of reciprocity;
• Being between 21 and 45 years of age on the date of the entrance exam for the Lawyers’ Training Institute;
• Holding a Master’s degree, a Specialized Master’s, or a Graduate Diploma in legal sciences or Sharia, or a recognized equivalent degree;
• Successfully passing the entrance exam and completing a basic training period of one year at the Institute, after which a certificate of competence to practice the profession is obtained.

Training and Exemptions

The trainee lawyer undergoes a training period set at 24 months under the supervision of the relevant bar association, including 20 months at the office of a lawyer appointed by the Bâtonnier (Head of the Bar) and training for 4 months in a relevant field within one of the administrations or public institutions. Certain categories are exempt from the certificate of competence and training:

• Former judges of the second grade or above, after the acceptance of their resignation or their referral to retirement;
• Research professors specializing in law who have practiced teaching for 8 years;
• Court clerks from the judicial delegates framework who hold a Master’s degree and have completed 15 years of seniority;
• Former lawyers registered for at least 5 years, and foreign lawyers from countries with which agreements have been concluded.

Bar Associations and Discipline

The law stipulates that the legal profession is a free and independent profession that contributes to achieving justice and ensuring a fair trial. A lawyer practices their profession within one of the bar associations established at the courts of appeal. More than one association cannot be established at the same court of appeal, and a new association shall not be created unless the number of lawyers reaches at least 500. The association’s council consists of the Bâtonnier (head of the bar) and elected members numbering between 10 and 30, depending on the number of lawyers.

The law defines the disciplinary sanctions applicable to lawyers, including warnings and reprimands, along with punitive provisions that penalize the impersonation of a lawyer with the penalties provided for in Articles 381 and 382 of the Penal Code. It also defines cases of incompatibility with the profession, such as commercial activity, administrative and judicial positions, and other liberal professions.

Transitional Provisions

The law enters into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, with the provisions of Law No. 28.08 continuing to apply regarding the conditions for candidacy and obtaining the eligibility certificate until the Lawyers’ Training Institute actually begins its duties. The texts adopted for the application of the repealed law remain in force until they are replaced, and references in current texts to the provisions of Law 28.08 are considered references to the corresponding provisions in the new law.

This law represents a qualitative shift in the regulation of the legal profession in Morocco, as it directly affects thousands of lawyers and candidates for practice by unifying the access path through the training institute, defining the conditions of internship, and organizing bar associations and professional discipline, thereby restructuring a profession considered a fundamental pillar of the justice system.

Source: Official Gazette (Bulletin Officiel), Issue 7536, 7 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1448 (August 20, 2026), General Texts, p. 5384 (Official Reference: Dahir No. 1.26.75 implementing Law No. 66.23).