Legal Ethics and Online Communication for Lawyers in Morocco

Having a professional website doesn't exempt a Moroccan lawyer from following the rules of the profession. If anything, it's the opposite: a poorly framed website can create more problems than it solves. This article is not personalized legal advice — for any specific question about what you can or cannot publish, the most reliable answer remains your bar association and the internal rules of the Ordre des avocats you belong to.

A legal framework that has just been deeply renewed

The legal profession in Morocco was long organized under law n° 28-08 of October 20, 2008. That text has been repealed and replaced by the new law n° 66-23, which took effect on August 20, 2026, following its publication in the Kingdom's Official Bulletin. This new text, made up of 147 articles across five parts, deeply reforms access to the profession, how it is practiced, its ethics, discipline, and the organization of bar associations. In other words, the framework in force in 2026 is considerably more recent than what many firms may still have in mind.

What the core ethical principles remind us of

Beyond successive legal texts, certain principles have always structured the profession and apply to every form of communication, including online: the lawyer's independence, professional secrecy, confidentiality, avoiding conflicts of interest, dignity, honor and integrity, loyalty to the client, discretion on fee matters, professional competence, and collegiality among peers. A lawyer's website should be designed as an extension of these principles, not as a space where they somehow apply less strictly because the medium is digital.

What this means concretely for a website

In practice, this translates into a few simple habits worth adopting. Presenting your areas of expertise factually: yes. Comparing your services to a named colleague's: no. Referring to past cases in a general, anonymized way to illustrate your experience is acceptable in many situations; promising a specific judicial outcome or a numerical success rate is the kind of practice that raises concerns, both ethically and in terms of honesty toward the client, since the outcome of any case never depends on a single party. Confidentiality deserves particular attention: nothing that could identify a real client or case should appear on the site without explicit, documented consent.

Why restraint also protects the firm

Respecting this framework isn't just a constraint: it's also what distinguishes a serious firm from a site that reads like plain commercial advertising. A client looking for a lawyer naturally favors sober, factual communication over an overly salesy tone, precisely because the nature of the profession itself calls for restraint. A website that respects legal ethics therefore inspires, almost paradoxically, more trust than an overly promotional one.

The bar association's role remains central

Each regional bar can clarify how these principles apply through its internal regulations, and practices can vary slightly from one jurisdiction to another. Before publishing content that feels sensitive — a "results obtained" section, detailed client testimonials, a fee comparison — the safest habit is to check with your bâtonnier or the council of the order you belong to. This article aims to set out a general framework, not to replace that verification.

A website designed within this framework remains fully effective

The good news is that respecting these rules doesn't prevent you from having a professional, clear and convincing website at all. The must-have features of a lawyer's website — a structured presentation of practice areas, easy contact, an FAQ, a legal news section — fit naturally within this ethical framework without ever needing to work around it.

A question worth pausing on: balancing visibility and restraint

Many lawyers wrongly assume they face a stark choice: either a website so restrained it attracts no one, or a promotional site that risks breaching the profession's rules. The reality is more nuanced: a site can be clear, appealing and convincing without any comparison or promise of results, simply by presenting the right information in the right way and making it easy to find. Striking that balance is exactly what we focus on in every project we run for legal professionals.

FAQ

Can a lawyer publish client testimonials on their website?

This depends on the specific rules of each bar association; some allow it under certain formal conditions, others are more restrictive. Check this specific point with your bar before publishing.

Can I mention my years of experience and qualifications?

Yes, this factual, verifiable information is generally considered legitimate, as distinct from a promise of results.

Does law 66-23 radically change what was tolerated under law 28-08?

The new text mainly modernizes access to the profession, training, and the organization of bar associations; the core ethical principles of dignity and collegiality remain a constant of the profession.

Can this article be considered legal advice?

No, this is general informational content. For any specific question about your situation, consult your bar's internal regulations or council of the order.

Do you want a website that fully respects the framework of your profession while remaining truly effective? Discover our approach to website creation or let's talk about your project.