The Chief Judge of Consular Court (EOM Only)

Chapters & Article Relating to the Chief Judge

 

Chapter II – His Majesty the Sultan of the Empire of Morocco

  • Article 5(4) – The Sultan takes his oath of office before the Chief Judge of the Empire.

Chapter III – The Prime Minister of the Government

  • Article 6(8) – The Prime Minister takes his oath of office by the Chief Judge of the Empire.

Chapter V – House Members of the Legislative Branch

  • Article 27(6) – The Speaker of the House takes her oath of office by the Chief Judge of the Empire.

Chapter X – The High Court of the House

  • Article 81(2) – The High Court is presided over by the Chief Judge of the Supreme Court when ruling on the removal of the Sultan from office.

Summary of Constitutional Role

From these provisions, the Chief Judge has four constitutionally defined functions:

  1. Administers the oath of office to the Sultan, Prime Minister, and Speaker of the House.

  2. Presides over the High Court in impeachment or removal proceedings against the Sultan.

  3. Acts as the highest judicial authority in ceremonial and constitutional matters requiring formal swearing‑in.

  4. Serves as a symbol of judicial independence in the balance of powers between the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.

 

Chief Judge practical duties and procedures guide

Empire of Morocco Constitution

Chapter II — His Majesty the Sultan of the Empire of Morocco

Article 5(4) — Oath of office of the Sultan

Role/Function: Administer the Sultan’s oath, ensuring constitutional legitimacy, proper recordkeeping, and public confidence.

Step-by-step operational tasks:

  1. Coordinate scheduling: Confirm date, venue, and format with the Royal Protocol Office; secure attendance of required dignitaries.

  2. Prepare oath text: Verify the official oath language; print sealed copies for the Chief Judge, Sultan, and archives.

  3. Verify eligibility: Review Constitutional Council confirmations, election or succession documentation, and any required declarations.

  4. Arrange ceremony protocol: Approve ceremonial order, security, press access, seating, and accessibility accommodations.

  5. Administer the oath: Read the oath verbatim; witness the Sultan’s affirmation and signature; sign as administering authority.

  6. Record proceedings: Ensure full transcript, video, and photographic records; authenticate minutes with judicial seal.

  7. Certify and publish: Issue a certificate of swearing‑in; transmit notice to the Official Journal; publish a summary order.

  8. Archive materials: Lodge originals and certified copies with national archives and the Supreme Court registry; retain a judicial copy.

Chapter III — The Prime Minister of the Government

Article 6(8) — Oath of office of the Prime Minister

Role/Function: Administer the Prime Minister’s oath, validating the assumption of executive authority.

Step-by-step operational tasks:

  1. Confirm appointment: Verify the Sultan’s appointment instrument, term conditions, and absence of disqualifying factors.

  2. Schedule ceremony: Coordinate logistics with the Prime Minister’s office and state protocol; confirm attendees and security.

  3. Finalize oath text: Prepare and seal the official oath; provide copies to participants and recorders.

  4. Conduct administration: Administer the oath; ensure signatures by the Prime Minister and Chief Judge; affix judicial seal.

  5. Document proceedings: Record transcript and media; prepare a certified minute of proceedings.

  6. Issue certification: Deliver a formal certificate of swearing‑in to the Prime Minister’s office and Government Secretariat.

  7. Notify organs: Inform the Sultan’s office, Speaker of the House, Constitutional Council, and relevant registries.

  8. Archive and publish: File with national archives and the Supreme Court registry; send a notice for publication in the Official Journal.

Chapter V — House Members of the Legislative Branch

Article 27(6) — Oath of office of the Speaker of the House

Role/Function: Administer the Speaker’s oath, confirming legislative leadership and procedural continuity.

Step-by-step operational tasks:

  1. Validate election: Obtain the House’s official election report; verify compliance with eligibility and voting rules.

  2. Coordinate logistics: Schedule with the House Secretariat; arrange venue in the House chamber or court ceremonial hall.

  3. Prepare oath materials: Seal the oath text; prepare signature pages for the Speaker, Chief Judge, and House Bureau.

  4. Administer oath: Conduct the swearing‑in; witness signatures; apply the judicial seal.

  5. Record and certify: Produce a certified transcript; issue a certificate of office to the Speaker and House Bureau.

  6. Update registers: Enter details in the judicial and parliamentary leadership registers; notify the Constitutional Council.

  7. Publish notice: Transmit a notice to the Official Journal; file all originals with national archives and the House records office.

Chapter X — The High Court of the House

Article 81(2) — Presiding over High Court in Sultan’s removal

Role/Function: Preside over constitutional removal proceedings, ensuring due process, impartiality, and lawful adjudication.

Step-by-step operational tasks:

  1. Convene the High Court: Verify the House resolution to sit as High Court; issue judicial orders constituting the court and schedule.

  2. Set procedural rules: Adopt standing orders for the proceeding (filings, evidence, motions, timelines); notify parties and counsel.

  3. Manage prehearing: Rule on jurisdiction, admissibility, discovery, and protective orders; set hearing calendars and brief schedules.

  4. Ensure neutrality: Vet conflicts for all participating judges and officials; assign ethics officer; issue recusal directives if required.

  5. Conduct hearings: Preside over opening statements, witness testimony, evidentiary rulings, and objections; ensure equal time and fairness.

  6. Direct deliberations: Instruct on standards of proof and voting thresholds; oversee drafting of findings and legal conclusions.

  7. Coordinate with bodies: Where appropriate, request advisory input from the Constitutional Council on constitutional questions.

  8. Render decision: Announce the judgment; supervise the issuance of the court’s opinion, orders, and any concurring/dissenting views.

  9. Certify and publish: Certify the final decision; order publication in the Official Journal; notify the Sultan’s office, House, and Government.

  10. Secure the record: Seal and archive the complete case file, evidence inventories, and transcripts; set retention and access controls.

Cross-cutting judicial administration for the Chief Judge

Ethics and independence

  • Standards enforcement: Maintain and publish a code of judicial conduct; manage disclosures and recusals.

  • Training: Provide periodic training on constitutional procedures and ceremonial administration.

Records and archiving

  • Unified registry: Maintain a centralized registry for oaths, certifications, and High Court proceedings.

  • Redundancy: Create certified duplicates for secure offsite storage; implement digital preservation standards.

Communications and transparency

  • Public notices: Standardize formats and timelines for Official Journal publications.

  • Briefings: Provide nonpartisan briefings to constitutional actors on procedural requirements before ceremonies or trials.

Security and protocol

  • Risk assessments: Coordinate with security services for all ceremonies and High Court sittings.

  • Continuity planning: Maintain contingency venues, backup officiants, and remote administration protocols when necessary.

Quick checklists

Oath ceremony (any office)

  • Eligibility verified

  • Oath text sealed

  • Venue/protocol confirmed

  • Administration completed

  • Certification issued

  • Official Journal notice sent

  • Archiving completed

High Court sitting

  • House resolution verified

  • Court constituted

  • Procedural orders issued

  • Prehearing motions resolved

  • Hearings conducted

  • Decision rendered

  • Publication and archiving completed



Chief Judge Constitutional Mandate

(Empire of Morocco Constitution – Consolidated Provisions)

Chapter II – His Majesty the Sultan of the Empire of Morocco

Article 5(4) – Oath of Office of the Sultan

  • Phrased Summary: The Sultan takes his oath of office before the Chief Judge of the Empire.

  • Role/Function: The Chief Judge administers the formal swearing‑in of the Sultan, ensuring the ceremony follows constitutional requirements and is recorded as a legitimate transfer or renewal of authority.

Chapter III – The Prime Minister of the Government

Article 6(8) – Oath of Office of the Prime Minister

  • Phrased Summary: The Prime Minister takes his oath of office before the Chief Judge of the Empire.

  • Role/Function: The Chief Judge validates the Prime Minister’s assumption of executive authority by administering the oath and confirming compliance with constitutional procedures.

Chapter V – House Members of the Legislative Branch

Article 27(6) – Oath of Office of the Speaker of the House

  • Phrased Summary: The Speaker of the House takes her oath of office before the Chief Judge of the Empire.

  • Role/Function: The Chief Judge confirms the Speaker’s legitimacy as presiding officer of the House by administering the oath and ensuring it is properly recorded.

Chapter X – The High Court of the House

Article 81(2) – Presiding Over High Court in Sultan’s Removal

  • Phrased Summary: The High Court is presided over by the Chief Judge of the Supreme Court when ruling on the removal of the Sultan from office.

  • Role/Function: The Chief Judge serves as the presiding judicial authority in constitutional removal proceedings, ensuring due process, impartiality, and adherence to legal standards.

Core Constitutional Functions of the Chief Judge

  1. Ceremonial Authority:

  • Administers oaths of office to the Sultan, Prime Minister, and Speaker of the House.

  • Ensures these ceremonies are constitutionally valid and properly documented.

Judicial Oversight in High‑Level Proceedings:

  • Presides over the High Court in cases involving the removal of the Sultan.

  • Guarantees impartiality and due process in proceedings of the highest constitutional importance.

Guardian of Constitutional Legitimacy:

  • Acts as a neutral arbiter in the formal assumption of powers by top state officials.

  • Upholds the integrity of the constitutional order through ceremonial and judicial functions.

FYI:

The Chief Judge’s role is symbolically powerful and procedurally critical — they are the constitutional gatekeeper for the lawful assumption of the highest offices and the impartial referee in the gravest constitutional trials.

» The L.A.W. of the Empire of Morocco