Meeting at the Council of Europe with the Moroccan Authorities in the Framework of the South Programme
The UIHJ participated on 6 December 2013 at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg in a meeting between the CEPEJ and the Moroccan Authorities in the Framework of the South Programme for Morocco
From L. to R. : Abdelaziz Isserssif, President of the Tribunal of First Instance of Sidi Kacem, Clementina Barbaro (CEPEJ), Abdallah Boujida, President of the Tribunal of First Instance of Casablanca, Abderrafi Erouihane, Ministry of Justice of Morocco, Jacques Bühler (Suisse), Najia Rahali, Head of Studies, Cooperation and Modernisation of Justice at the Ministry of Justice of Morocco, Abdelmati El Kaddouri, president of the Administrative Tribunal of Agadir, Mathieu Chardon, 1er Secretary of the UIHJ
The South Programme is a programme funded by the European Commission and implemented by the Council of Europe and the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) to strengthen democracy in the countries of the Southern Neighbourhood. In this context, cooperation between the CEPEJ and the Kingdom of Morocco is seen as particularly harmonious and constructive.
The UIHJ participates in this program, including the component on service of documents (see our articles on our website). On the occasion of the 22nd plenary meeting of the CEPEJ to which Morocco has participated as an observer member state, the CEPEJ held a meeting following the 4th mission of the CEPEJ held in Morocco in November.
Attended the meeting:
- For the Council of Europe: Clementina Barbaro, Head of Cooperation Unit of the CEPEJ, Jacques Bühler (Switzerland), President of Saturn Centre for judicial time management of the CEPEJ, Joao Arsenio de Oliveira (Portugal), member of the Quality Working Group of the CEPEJ, Mehdi Remili, head of the Council of Europe in Rabat, Ioana Voelkel, assistant, Halima El Joundi, consultant, Hélène Jorry, consultant, and Mathieu Chardon, 1st Secretary of the UIHJ;
- For the Moroccan authorities : Khalid El Battachi, Vice-Consul, Consulate General of Morocco, Najia Rahali, Director of Studies, Cooperation and Modernization, Ministry of Justice of Morocco, Abderrafi Erouihane, Director of Training for Secretary-Clerks, Superior Institute of the Judiciary, Abdallah Boujida, President of the Court of First Instance (CFI) of Casablanca, Abdelaziz Isserssif, President of the CFI of Sidi Kacem and Abdelmati El Kaddouri, President of the Administrative Court of Agadir.
The following points set out in the agenda were discussed:
- Document on a "Description of a project for a simplified service of documents within the CFI of Sidi Kacem";
- Report prepared at the end of the fourth visit of the CEPEJ in Morocco on training of trainers of the Superior Institute of the Judiciary to the use of the CEPEJ tools;
- Guide for the implementation of satisfaction surveys in the courts of the Kingdom of Morocco and model questionnaires for litigants.
With regard to service of documents, Jacques Bühler stated that the description of the project resumed in most of its items the one that had been adopted for the CFI of Casablanca, with some specificity taking into account the rurality of the region of Sidi Kacem. Participants were able to discuss the description and make comment. The final description will be presented at the end of December 2013 and will facilitate the continuation of the programme.
Once again should be acknowledged the excellent cooperation and willingness of all parties to bring as soon as possible concrete, effective and appropriate solutions to unveil the face of the justice reform initiated in Morocco.
