Legal System of Morocco

Morocco is located in Africa. It is geographically situated in northern africa, bordering the north atlantic ocean and the mediterranean sea, between algeria and mauritania. The country achieved independence on 2 march 1956 (from france). The capital is Rabat.

Government Overview

Government Type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy Chief of State: King MOHAMMED VI (since 30 July 1999) Head of Government: Prime Minister Aziz AKHANNOUCH (since 7 October 2021) Cabinet: Council of Ministers chosen by the prime minister in consultation with Parliament and appointed by the monarch; the monarch chooses the ministers of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Islamic Affairs, and National Defense Administration Administrative Divisions: 12 regions; Beni Mellal-Khenifra, Casablanca-Settat, Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, Draa-Tafilalet, Fes-Meknes, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Safi, Oriental, Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, Souss-Massa, Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima National Holiday: Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Morocco is described as mixed system of civil law based on French civil law and Islamic (sharia) law; Constitutional Court reviews legislative acts International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: several previous; latest drafted 17 June 2011, approved by referendum 1 July 2011  Amendment Process: proposed by the king, by the prime minister, or by members in either chamber of Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by both chambers and approval in a referendum; the king can opt to submit self-initiated proposals directly to a referendum

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Supreme Court or Court of Cassation (consists of 5-judge panels organized into civil, family matters, commercial, administrative, social, and criminal sections); Constitutional Court (consists of 12 members) Judge Selection: Supreme Court judges appointed by the Superior Council of Judicial Power, a 20-member body presided over by the monarch, which includes the Supreme Court president, the prosecutor general, representatives of the appeals and first instance courts  (among them 1 woman magistrate), the president of the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH), and 5 “notable persons” appointed by the monarch; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court members - 6 designated by the monarch and 6 elected by Parliament; court president appointed by the monarch from among the court members; members serve 9-year nonrenewable terms Subordinate Courts: courts of appeal; High Court of Justice; administrative and commercial courts; regional and Sadad courts (for religious, civil and administrative, and penal adjudication); first instance courts

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of bicameral Lower Chamber: House of Representatives (Majliss-annouwab) (395 (all directly elected) seats) Electoral System (Lower Chamber): proportional representation Upper Chamber: House of Councillors (Majlis al-Mustacharin)

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: the father must be a citizen of Morocco; if the father is unknown or stateless, the mother must be a citizen Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, a series of Muslim dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad al-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. The Alaouite Dynasty, to which the current Moroccan royal family belongs, dates from the 17th century.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Morocco based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.