Marrakech Court Rules in Favor of Mohamed Sabari's Candidacy
In a significant legal development, the Administrative Court in Marrakech issued a ruling on November 2, 2026, that overturned an implicit decision made by the president of the Marrakech Bar Association. This decision had previously denied the inclusion of lawyer Mohamed Sabari in the list of eligible candidates for the prestigious position of bar president for the upcoming term of 2027 to 2029. With this ruling, the court mandated the legal effects of the annulment, ensuring that Sabari's name is officially added to the candidate list.
The court accepted the appeal filed by Sabari on October 27, following the shock of finding his name absent from the posted eligibility list at the Bar Association's headquarters on October 19. According to the court's findings, Sabari had submitted a request on the same day to rectify this omission, claiming he did not receive a response within the stipulated three-day period.
Moreover, the ruling addressed the prior annulment of Sabari's election as bar president back in 2015, during which he had actively served in the role. The court highlighted that this annulment retroactively stripped him of the title of past president, which is pertinent for candidacy eligibility. However, it also noted that the continued validity of certain decisions made during his presidency is crucial for the governance of the association and for protecting the interests of both lawyers and clients, thus not affecting the legal ramifications of the annulment on his official status.
Regarding the requirement for candidacy, the court clarified that Article 133 of Law No. 66.23 governing the legal profession ties the disqualification for candidacy to a final conviction in a matter concerning honor, integrity, or trustworthiness. The previous proceedings against Sabari concluded with a judicial decision exonerating him.
As reported by alyaoum24.com.
