Exequatur in Morocco: enforcing a foreign judgment
A judgment given by a foreign court cannot be enforced in Morocco until a Moroccan judge has granted it exequatur. A divorce pronounced in Europe, an order to pay a sum of money, a commercial decision: without this enforcement order, the decision has no practical effect in Morocco.
This article presents the procedure that has applied since the new Code of Civil Procedure (Law No. 58.25) came into force on 24 August 2026.
What exequatur allows
Once granted exequatur, the foreign judgment has the same effects in Morocco as a Moroccan judgment. In particular, it makes it possible:
- to seize assets or accounts located in Morocco to recover an award;
- to have a divorce recorded in the Moroccan civil registers;
- to rely on the decision against an authority or a third party in Morocco.
Conditions reviewed by the judge
The Moroccan judge does not retry the case. The judge checks that the foreign decision meets the conditions set by Law No. 58.25 (Articles 451 et seq.):
- the foreign court had jurisdiction, and the case does not fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Moroccan courts;
- the decision is final in the country where it was given;
- the rights of the defence were respected;
- the decision does not conflict with Moroccan public policy or with a Moroccan decision;
- it complies with the international conventions ratified by Morocco.
The procedure
- File the application with the court of first instance of the place of enforcement. Law No. 58.25 now looks to the place where the decision is to be enforced, and no longer only to the defendant's domicile.
- The judge reviews the decision. The judge examines the documents and the conditions above, without reopening the merits of the dispute.
- Obtain the exequatur decision. In civil and commercial matters, it may be appealed.
- Enforce. Once it bears the enforcement order, the decision is enforced like a Moroccan judgment.
Documents required
- An official copy of the judgment, issued by the court that gave it and bearing an apostille. Decisions given in France are exempt.
- A certificate of non-appeal, proving that the decision is final: no opposition, appeal or appeal in cassation.
- A full Arabic translation of these documents by a sworn translator, as required by law.
- For a divorce: the marriage certificate, the applicant's identity document and a full copy of the Moroccan birth certificate.
Handling the procedure from abroad
There is no need to be present in Morocco. A lawyer registered with a Moroccan bar can file the application and conduct the procedure under a power of attorney. Consulates do not accept exequatur applications: they are filed with the court.
Each case depends on the nature of the decision and the country where it was given. For a specific situation, you can set out your request in writing.