Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi: Justice Ministry has set up an ambitious program to build and rehabilitate divisions for family courts to become independent from courts of first instance

Minister of Justice, M. Abdellatif Ouahbi, stated that the Ministry of Justice has set up an ambitious program to build, extend and rehabilitate divisions for family courts and improve their conditions to become excellent and independent from courts of first instance.

Minister Ouahbi made clear in his response to questions by councilors during an oral question session held last Tuesday, January 3, 2023, that concerning the condition of family courts buildings, they are divided as follows: 21 New buildings were achieved during the last ten years in Tangier, Larache, Qsar El Kebir, Tetouan, Berkane, Taounate, Missour, Azrou, Rabat, Qasbat Tadla, Fqih Bensalah, Settat, Berrechid, Sidi Bennour, Marrakech, Safi, Essaouira, El Youssoufia, Agadir, Tiznit, Laayoune; while 6 other projects are under process of achievement in Ouazzan, El Jadida, Benslimane, Bioukra, Jerada, Salé, in addition to 7 other projects under study in Sefrou, Temara, Mohammedia, Ben Ahmed, Tahhanaout, Midelt and Assa Zag.

Minister Ouahbi said “Since the family status code does actually interest all social categories, national and international institutions, and since it is highly estimated by the society, and as its sentences are related to Islamic law/or Sharia and the Commander of the Faithful institution, so the revision of its texts requires a process that respects all those characteristics and intervention by all players and interested sides; and also requires the opinion of higher institutions and councils qualified to shed more light towards reinforcing the principle of equality and elimination of all aspects of discrimination and safeguard common interest of the family and the best protection of children interest.”

To achieve those goals, added Minister Ouahbi, the Ministry has allocated a budget envelope estimated at MAD 95 million (of which MAD 32 million as payment funds and MAD 63 million as commitment funds) to create independent buildings of family courts; and about MAD 50 million from management budget to provide various services that ensure normal and permanent work management at different family courts.