Regional councils of elders warn against Bill 16.22: a threat to social stability and societal cohesion.

Moroccan Notaries Warn Government About Bill 16.22’s Risks

In a recent press conference, regional councils of notaries in Morocco sounded the alarm over the potential threats posed by Bill 16.22, which aims to regulate the profession of notaries. They expressed that the current version of the bill poses a significant risk to social peace and undermines social cohesion, with direct implications on the contractual and legal security of citizens. The councils emphasized that the government bears full responsibility for preventing these serious consequences.

The regional councils clarified that this bill is not merely a technical amendment to existing law; it includes provisions that hit at the core of the notary profession and contradict the principles of documentary justice. This undermines trust in transactions and threatens the legal stability that is a fundamental pillar of the rule of law. They warned that the continued progress of the bill in its current form could erode public confidence in institutions, disrupt daily transactions, and weaken the social equilibrium that notaries have helped preserve for centuries.

In this context, Mr. Saïd Sroukh, president of the regional council of notaries in the Appeals Authority of Tangier and head of the Commission for External Relations and Communication within the executive office of the National Authority of Notaries, highlighted that notaries had already presented detailed observations and proposed amendments aimed at correcting essential imbalances in the bill. However, he indicated that the rejection of these amendments—both by the Justice and Legislation Commission and during the plenary session—reflects a lack of genuine willingness for participative dialogue and demonstrates a disregard for the interests of citizens and the profession.

Mr. Sroukh pointed out that previous forms of protest, including the cessation of notary activities on April 18 and 19, served as an initial warning to raise awareness about the situation. The government’s lack of response to these alerts led notaries to adopt more visible escalating measures, reflecting the seriousness of the situation on the national stage.

Meanwhile, Mr. Idriss Trali, president of the regional council of notaries in the Appeals Authority of Beni Mellal and a member of the executive office of the National Authority of Notaries, explained that the bill, in its current form, imposes coercive and punitive constraints on notaries. This disrupts the balance between rights and duties while failing to provide the necessary professional guarantees for them to perform their role with dignity and independence.

Mr. Trali asserted that notaries are not opposed to oversight or accountability but demand a real balance between rights and duties, as well as the provision of legal and institutional tools required to maintain professional security and protect citizens’ rights and the legal standing of contracting parties.

Faced with what they described as a complete deadlock in the legislative management of the bill, the regional councils announced a national strike lasting one week, which will include the cessation of notary activities nationwide. This protest aims to alert the government and the public about the severe risks that Bill 16.22 poses if pursued without fundamental revision.

The councils stressed that this strike does not target the interests of citizens but seeks to protect their rights and uphold the contractual security represented by notarial acts. They directly hold the government responsible for any disruptions that may occur in daily transactions due to the bill’s failure to be adjusted or the executive’s lack of response to the professional demands of notaries.

The councils renewed their call for urgent intervention to withdraw Bill 16.22 and return it to the dialogue table under a truly participative approach, ensuring meaningful involvement of notaries in drafting the texts governing their profession. They advocated for a balanced reform that safeguards notaries’ independence, protects public rights and interests, and enhances legal security and social cohesion, which are currently threatened by the bill’s current provisions.

In conclusion, the councils warned that any continued adoption of the bill without a comprehensive review would have a direct impact on the stability of the legal system and society as a whole. They asserted that the government’s responsibility—historically, legally, and morally—demands a response to the notaries’ demands in order to ensure contractual security and maintain social balance.