DR ‹ › On Monday evening, the House of Representatives' Committee on Justice, Legislation, Human Rights, and Liberties approved Bill 16.22, which seeks to regulate the Adoul profession. This decision was made with a majority vote in the presence of Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi. The bill aims to thoroughly reassess the legal and professional framework governing Adouls, with a particular emphasis on enhancing the protections offered to clients, according to the minister. In a statement, the minister explained that the bill addresses several key issues, including clarifying the role of Adouls, the nature of the testimonies they provide, and the regulations surrounding Lafif (collective testimony). The bill also incorporates suggestions from the National Order of Adouls and considers judicial precedents from Moroccan courts, he added. Among the bill's significant updates are the formal recognition of the Adoul title, revised entry requirements for the profession, the inclusion of women, and the introduction of a competitive examination as the recruitment method. The legislation also outlines new provisions regarding the rights and responsibilities of Adouls, such as allowing them to suspend their practice for scientific, religious, or health reasons for up to one year, renewable four times, with authorization from the Justice Ministry and under specific conditions and rules. Additionally, the bill calls for the establishment of an institution dedicated to the initial and ongoing training of Adouls, the integration of Adoul services into public service, and mandates that the National Order of Adouls develop a code of conduct outlining the ethical and professional standards to be upheld.
