Morocco

As a result of Morocco’s colonial history the legal system is heavily influenced by French civil law.  However, the Personal Status Law in Morocco (the mudawwana) is inspired by Maliki jurisprudence, which is the dominant school of Islamic law in Morocco and according to Article 6 of the Moroccan Constitution Islam is the State religion.  The Personal Status Law was amended in 1992, 1993 and 2004, including in the areas of custody and guardianship,  in order to increase the gender equality of the law.
Morocco has a majority Muslim population with Jewish and Christian minorities.  The Maliki School of Islamic Law has the most influence in Morocco.

Available Information

Legal Texts

•    Constitution 1996

•    Extracts of Family Code 2004  (Arabic)

•    Family Code 2004 (French)

•    Unofficial Translation of an Extract of Family Code 2004

Reports

Articles

•    Family Law Summary (Emory Project)

•    Comparison of Former Moroccan Family Law with the New Provisions, L’Association Democratique des Femmes du Maroc.

•    Summary Improvements to the Family Law

•    International Parental Child Abduction (US State Dept.)

•    Information on Judiciary (POGAR)

•    Summary of Judicial Structures, Nathan J. Brown