November 2020 – April 2023

This project is conducted within the framework of the Neighborhood Partnership of the Council of Europe with Morocco 2018-2021 and with the support of Liechtenstein, Norway and Spain

Context of the Project

The Council of Europe has established close cooperation with Morocco from 2011 with the aim of accompanying the democratic reform process, with the three pillars of the Organization - the protection of human rights, the establishment of the rule of law and democracy - as the guiding thread of its action.    

Following the adoption of the 2011 Constitution, Morocco undertook a profound reform of its judicial system, to which the adoption in 2013 of a Charter for the Reform of Justice gave a precise implementation framework.

From 2016 to 2018, the Joint EU/CoE Programme to support the justice sector reform - improving the functioning of justice in Morocco using the tools of the CEPEJ - has really given a new dimension to this cooperation.

CEPEJ provided direct support to several Moroccan courts (the "pilot courts") to disseminate its tools to improve the efficiency and quality of justice services provided to court users. The Ministry of Justice also incorporated CEPEJ indicators to assess the activity and performance of Moroccan courts. 

Finally, the previous project aimed to strengthen the operational capacity of key justice stakeholders in Morocco, including heads of courts, the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ), and the Presidency of the Prosecution Services, both of which established in 2017.    

At the same time, Morocco became an official observer to the CEPEJ.

The CEPEJ and Morocco will develop and deepen this cooperation to in a more targeted manner to accompany Moroccan reforms concerning judicial institutions.

Project's objectives

The project is divided into three components.

• The first component focuses on cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and aims to improve the functioning of the public service of justice and the judicial process in Morocco. This improvement involves strengthening the capacity of the Ministry of Justice and justice professionals, but also supporting the digital transformation of Moroccan justice, and will take into account lessons learned from the management of the health crisis. 
• The second component focuses on cooperation with the Presidency of the Prosecution Services, and aims to strengthen its capacity to work and exchange with the prosecutors' offices in the field, but also to support the improvement of the effectiveness of the work carried out by the prosecutors' offices directly.
• Finally, a third component consists in promoting a better functioning of the public service of justice through the sharing of good practices and approximation to European standards.

Project beneficiaries and stakeholders

Ministry of Justice, Presidency of the Prosecution Services, Prosecution services in courts, Courts, Judges and non-judge staff, legal professionals.

Translation of CEPEJ documents

• Declaration on lessons learnt and Challenges faced by the judiciary during and after the Covid-19 Pandemic 
• Overview of the CEPEJ (information leaflet)
• SATURN revised guidelines for judicial time management (CEPEJ(2014)16) - 12 December 2014
• The 15 main guidelines of the SATURN Centre for judicial time management
• Handbook (summary of the methodology) for the implementation of the tools of the SATURN Centre for judicial time management
• A model of report concerning judicial time management
• Guidelines on the role of court-appointed experts in judicial proceedings of Council of Europe's Member States (CEPEJ(2014)14), 12 December 2014
• Handbook for conducting satisfaction surveys aimed at Court users in Council of Europe's member States (CEPEJ(2010)1 - 26 novembre 2010)
• Handbook for satisfaction surveys aimed at lawyers (CEPEJ(2010)1)
• Checklist for promoting the quality of justice and the courts (CEPEJ(2008)2), 3 juillet 2008
• Recommandation CM/Rec(2010)12 on judges: independence, efficiency and responsibilities (17 November 2010)
• Guidelines for a better implementation of the existing Council of Europe's recommendation on enforcement (CEPEJ(2009)11Rev2) - 17 December 2009)
• Training kit [in French and in Arabic]

Useful links

• Country profile Morocco - CEPEJ website
• Page Improving the functioning of justice in Morocco based on the tools developed by the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice – phase II - CEPEJ website (November 2020 - December 2021)
• Page "South programme IV : Regional Support to Reinforce Human rights, Rule of Law and Democracy in the Southern Mediterranean" - CEPEJ Website (Mach 2020 - February 2022)
• Improving the functioning of justice in Morocco using the tools of the CEPEJ (January 2016 - June 2018)
• Page "South Programme II - Morocco : Towards a strengthened democratic governance in the Southern Mediterranean" - CEPEJ website (2015-2017)
• Page "South Programme I - Morocco: Strengthening the democratic reform in the Southern Neighborhood - South Programme 1" - CEPEJ website (2012-2014) [in French]
• Council of Europe Facebook page on Morocco
• Website of the Ministry of Justice and Liberties
• Higher Institute of Magistrates
• Legal and Judicial Portal of the Ministry of Justice of Morocco