Rabat– The National Council of Adouls has officially announced an escalation in their ongoing protest against the government, declaring a total halt of all professional services across Morocco from March 18 to April 5.
This 19-day strike marks a significant breakdown in negotiations between the traditional legal professionals and the Ministry of Justice regarding Bill 16.22, the new legislation designed to regulate the profession.
The Council expressed deep frustration this Thursday, citing a “total lack of response” from public authorities. Despite multiple grievances submitted to the Head of Government and the Ministry of Justice, the professional body claims their demands have been systematically rejected.
The Adouls — who serve as vital pillars in Morocco’s legal landscape by authenticating acts and securing civil transactions — argue that the current version of the bill, recently adopted by the House of Councillors, fails to respect the “historical specificities” of their function.
The standoff centers on several critical points that the Council believes are essential for the modernization and dignity of the profession:
- Financial Management: Unlike notaries or lawyers, Adouls are currently excluded from an institutionalized mechanism for depositing and managing funds related to transactions. They are demanding a secure, regulated system similar to their peers in other legal branches.
- Identity & Naming: A major point of contention is the official title of the profession. The Council is pushing for the combined designation of “Notary-Adoul” to better reflect the authenticating and quasi-notarial nature of their work.
- Legislative Pause: The Council is calling for an immediate suspension of the legislative process until a “serious and responsible” dialogue with the head of government is opened.
This latest move follows a string of successful industrial actions earlier this year, including a two-day strike in February and an eight-day walkout from March 2 to March 10. The Council noted that the high participation rates in previous strikes signal a “widespread disapproval” of the government’s current path.
The upcoming strike is expected to cause significant delays in civil and commercial proceedings nationwide, as Adouls play a central role in marriage contracts, inheritance, and real estate transactions.
The National Council of Adouls maintains that their goal is not to block progress, but to achieve a consensus that modernizes the legal framework while preserving their historic prerogatives. Without an open door for dialogue from the Head of Government’s office, the Council warns that the “road to reform” remains blocked by a law that “fails to respect the profession’s input.”
