Lawyers want custom-made legislation…and the discussion has moved to Parliament

The Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Wehbe, said, “The legal profession in Morocco needs reform, reconsideration and strengthening, because it is experiencing a serious collapse that requires dealing with it intelligently,” reiterating that deliberation on Draft Law No. 66.23 related to regulating the legal profession “is no longer possible outside the legislative process; the text has reached Parliament and will be defended within this framework and not outside it.”

Wehbe pointed out during a meeting of the Justice and Legislation Committee in the House of Representatives, yesterday evening, Wednesday, that “the mediation stage has ended,” explaining that 50 meetings were held with lawyers over a period of three years, adding: “Every time we give them the text and they return it to us with comments, then we agree, so that the discussion is returned again to point zero. Do they want a text according to their size?”

The Minister of Justice continued, saying: “I am a minister and I respect my profession, and I cannot be a lawyer within the ministry. Do they want us to laugh at people? Or for me to address them by saying: (I am one of you and I am a nice lawyer) just because I will return to practicing the defense profession (after the end of the mandate and my departure from my position as minister)?”, adding: “I will return, of course, and I will wear the suit, and I will do things that go beyond what they do. I will go to court and perform my duty with bulging eyes.”

The government official revealed that the lawyers were handed the latest version of the draft law in the city of Casablanca, explaining: “I literally said: If there are other amendments, we can contact the representatives to reach a solution regarding them,” before adding: “Suddenly, I found them making statements and reports that were no more than slogans, and not a fundamental debate about the text. They were only repeating phrases such as harming the profession and attacking the legal profession.”

Wehbe continued, saying: “When I address them by saying: Bring me an actual discussion about the legislative text, they answer: Yes, but orally. I do not understand why they avoid presenting matters in writing,” and he continued: “Nothing scares me, and if they presented me with written data, I would respond to it according to my conviction, and even if the answer was (no), I would say it, instead of lying to them.”

The Minister of Justice stressed that “the process of legislation has begun, and the role of the legislative institution must be respected,” explaining that “lawyers can knock on the door of parliamentary teams and groups and deliberate with them on the contents, provided that the decision ultimately rests with the majority, the opposition, the government, and the legislative authority, as they are constitutional authorities.” He added: “I will not interfere in the meetings of lawyers with representatives, and I am not embarrassed by that, as I respect the legislative authority, and whatever amendments he presents we will consider.”

The minister, who was speaking during a committee meeting dedicated to studying Draft Law No. 16.22 related to regulating the profession of justice, affirmed, “When the government’s observations on the contents of the legislative text seem subjective, I am ready for further debate. Each party explains its point of view to see what it is based on, and if it turns out that I have wronged a party or group, I am ready (for accountability).”