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UPDATE: Tanzanian Legal System and Legal Research

Update by Christabel Manning and Seka Kasera

Christabel Manning (LL.M, LL.B) is an Advocate of the High Court of Tanzania and a member of Tanganyika
Law Society (TLS). Christabel works with KPMG Advisory Limited in the Tax and Regulatory Services
Department.

Seka Kasera (LL.B. Hons., Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice and Master’s in Public Administration). He
is an Advocate of the High Court of Tanzania and member of Tanganyika law Society (TLS). Seka is currently
employed as a Principal Assistant Registrar with the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA).

Published July/August 2020

(Previously updated by Christabel Manning and Seka Kasera in August/September 2010 and in July/August
2016)

See the Archive Version!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Sources of Law
2.1. The Constitution
2.2. Constitutional Review Process
2.3. Statutes
2.4. Case Law
2.5. Received Laws
2.6. Customary and Islamic Laws
2.7. International Law (Treaties and Conventions)
3. Government Structure
3.1. The Executive
3.2. The Legislature
3.3. The Judiciary
3.3.1. Judicial System of Mainland Tanzania
3.3.2.Judicial System of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar
4. Locating Legal Materials
4.1. Case Law
4.2. Online Resources
4.3. Secondary Sources of Information
5. Legal Education
6. Legal Profession

1. Introduction
The United Republic of Tanzania is situated on the eastern seaboard of the African continent, about one
degree south of the Equator. Its eastern border is the Indian Ocean, it shares its northern border with the
Republic of Kenya and Uganda, and to the West it borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic
of Rwanda and the Republic of Burundi. The Republic of Zambia and the Republic of Malawi share its borders
on the southwest, while in the South it shares a border with Mozambique; it is the union of two historical
countries, Tanganyika and Zanzibar.

The United Republic of Tanzania was formed in 1964 through the union of two independent states, namely the
Republic of Tanganyika and the Peoples’ Republic of Zanzibar. Zanzibar is an autonomous part of the United
Republic, and is made up of two islands, namely Unguja and Pemba, which are found in the territorial waters
of the United Republic, in the Indian Ocean. Another island to the south east of the Tanzania, Mafia, is an
integral part of mainland Tanzania.

Tanganyika gained its independence from the British, who administered it after the end of World War II under
the United Nations Trusteeship. On December 9, 1961 it became a Republic. Zanzibar became independent on
12 December 1963. Prior to its independence, Zanzibar, which was ruled by an Arab Sultanate, enjoyed a
protectorate status under the British rule. One month after she gained independence, the Arab Sultanate
regime of Zanzibar was overthrown by a popular revolution on January 12, 1964, which led to the creation of
the Revolution Government of Zanzibar. The Republic of Tanganyika and the Peoples’ Republic of Zanzibar
entered into a union on 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, which was later
renamed on 29 October as the United Republic of Tanzania.

At the time of the Union, Tanganyika was governed by a political party known as the Tanganyika African
National Union (TANU), the nationalist party which won the country its independence, while Zanzibar was rule
by the Afro Shiraz Party (ASP) which had led the popular revolution. The two states were by then governed
under the one-party system of government, i.e. the one-party state democracy, which was then very prevalent
in Africa. In 1977 the TANU and ASP merged to form the Chama Cha Mapinduzi-CCM party (otherwise known
as the Revolutionary Party), which continued to exercise political control throughout the country under the
one-party regime.

The United Republic of Tanzania was under the leadership of one-party system until 1992 when she amended
her constitution, which enabled the organization of pluralist political parties, and hence in 1995 the first multi-
party democratic elections were held in the country. Since 1995 the country has held such multi-party
elections in 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015.

The following are registered political parties as of December 2015:

Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM)

The Civic United Front (CUF)
Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA)
Union for Multiparty Democracy (UMD)
National Convention for Construction and Reform (NCCR - Mageuzi)
National League for Democracy (NLD)
United Peoples’ Democratic Party (UPDP)
National Reconstruction Alliance (NRA)
Tanzania Democratic Alliance (TADEA)
Tanzania Labour Party (TLP)
United Democratic Party (UDP)
Demokrasia Makini (MAKINI)
Chama cha Haki na Ustawi (CHAUSTA)
Democratic Party (DP)
Progressive Party of Tanzania (PPT - Maendeleo)
Jahazi Asilia
Sauti ya Umma (SAU)
Alliance of Tanzania Farmers Party (AFP)
Social party (CCK)
Alliance For Democratic Change (ADC)
Party for People’s Redemption (CHAUMMA)
Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT)

2. Sources of Law
Tanzania’s legal system is based on the English Common Law system. It derived this system from its British
colonial legacy, as it does the system of government, which is based to a large degree on the Westminster
parliamentary model.

2.1. The Constitution

Unlike the unwritten British constitutional system, the first source of law for the United Republic of Tanzania is
the 1977 Constitution. The constitutional history of Tanganyika traces its background from the 1961
Independence Constitution, which was adopted at the time of independence. In 1962 Tanganyika adopted the
Republican Constitution, which operated from 1962 to 1965. These two were based on the traditional
Lancaster-style constitutions negotiated at independence by the British upon handover of state power to
newly independent states. In 1965 Tanganyika adopted an Interim Constitution while the country awaited a
new constitution to be drafted, after it abolished the multi-party-political system and adopted a one-party
state system. The process lingered longer than it was meant to and thus the constitution lasted from 1965 up
to 1977 when a new constitution was adopted, which has remained applicable to date, with fourteen
subsequent amendments.

The Constitution provides for a bill of rights, notwithstanding the fact that it also makes provision for several
claw-back clauses. The enjoyment of certain rights and freedoms under the Constitution is not absolute, but it
is subject to legal regulation. The Bill of Rights is found in part three of the first Chapter of the Constitution
and the fundamental rights and freedom are stipulated in article 12 to 24, article 25 to 28 imposes duties and
obligations on every individual to respect the rights of others and society. Article 29 establishes the obligation
of society to every individual. Article 30 of the Constitution limits the application of these rights subject to law
and the under the due process of law, as the case may be.

The Constitution under Article 30(3) allows any person to challenge any law or act or omission in the Court of
law, which contravenes his or her right, or the Constitution. The procedure and enforcement of the human
right are well stipulated on the Basic Rights and Duties Enforcement Act No 33 of 1994 Chapter 3.

2.2. Constitutional Review Process

In the campaigns of 2010 the former president, Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete seeking a second term made a
firm commitment to run a constitutional review if he is re-elected. The Tanzanian Constitutional Review
Commission is the national commission established as per The Constitutional Review Act, cap 83 of 2011 for
the public opinion on the review of the current Constitution of Tanzania and its validation via referendum. In
April 2012, the former President Jakaya Kikwete appointed the former Attorney General and Prime Minister
Judge Joseph Warioba as its chairman and the former Chief Justice Augustino Ramadhani as its vice
chairman, along with 30 members/commissioners, 15 from Tanzania Mainland and 15 from Zanzibar. Public
views were consolidated by the Constitution review Commission and submitted to the Constitutional
Assembly which adopted public view with major amendments; the exercise was boycotted by some of the
opposition parties (UKAWA) claiming public suggestions were ignored by the Constitutional Assembly. The
constitutional review was never completed.

2.3. Statutes

The second source of law is the Statutes or Acts of Parliament. The Laws Revisions Act of 1994 Chapter Four
of the laws of Tanzania [R.E. 2002] established that all legislations previously known as Ordinances, i.e. those
which were enacted by the pre-independence colonial administration, as Orders in Council, can now be legally
recognized as Acts. These principal legislations and subsidiary legislations thereto, are published in the
Government Gazette and printed by the Tanzania Government Printers.

2.4. Case Law

The third source is case laws also known as precedents. These are cases from the High Court and Court of
Appeal which are either reported or unreported and are being used as precedents and bind lower courts
thereto. Reported Tanzanian cases are found in the Tanzania Law Reports, High Court Digests and East Africa
Law Reports.

2.5. Received Laws

The fourth source is Received Laws established under Section 2.3 of The Judicature and Applications of
Laws Act, Chapter 358 of the Laws of Tanzania [R.E. 2002] (JALA). These include common law, Doctrine of
Equity, and Statutes of General Application of England, applicable before 22 of July 1920, which is deemed to
be the reception date for English Law in Tanzania.
2.6. Customary and Islamic Law

The fifth source is customary and Islamic law, which are established under section 9 of the Judicature and
Applications of Laws Act (JALA). Whereby customary law is in effect only when it does not conflict with
statutory law whilst Islamic law is applicable to Muslims under the Judicature and Applications of Laws Act,
empowering courts to apply Islamic law to matters of succession in communities that generally follow
Islamic law in matters of personal status and inheritance.

2.7. International Law (Treaties and Conventions)

International Laws, that is, Treaties and Conventions, are not self-executing. The Act of Parliament can apply
treaties and conventions to which Tanzania is a party in the Courts in Tanzania only after ratification.

3. Government Structure
The United Republic of Tanzania is a unitary state based on a multiparty parliamentary democracy. In 1992
the Tanzanian government introduced constitutional reforms permitting the establishment of opposition
political parties.

All matters of state in the United Republic are exercised and controlled by the Government of the United
Republic of Tanzania and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar. The Government of The United Republic
of Tanzania has authority over all Union matters in the United Republic, as stipulated under the Constitution,
and it also runs all non-union matters on Mainland Tanzania, i.e. the territory formerly known as Tanganyika.
Non-Union matters are all those which do not appear in the Schedule to the Constitution which stipulates the
list of Union matters.

The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, similarly, has authority on Tanzania Zanzibar, i.e. the territory
composed of the islands of Unguja and Pemba, over all matters which are not Union Matters. In this respect
the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has a separate Executive, legislature, known as the House of
Representatives, and a judicial structure, which functions from the Primary Court level to the High Court of
Zanzibar, which are provided for under the 1984 Constitution of Zanzibar.

There are three organs for central government of the United Republic of Tanzania: The Executive, the Judiciary
and the Legislature. Local government authority is exercised through Regional and District Commissioners.
The functions and powers of each of the three organs are laid out in Article 4 of the 1977 Constitution of the
United Republic of Tanzania. Parliament is established under Chapter Three, the Executive is established
under Chapter Two and the Judiciary under Chapter Five.

3.1. The Executive

The Executive of the United Republic comprises of the President, The Vice-President, President of Zanzibar,
the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers. The President of the United Republic is the Head of State, the Head
of Government and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The President is the leader of the Executive
of the United Republic of Tanzania. The Vice President who is the principal assistant to the President in all
matters of the United Republic is responsible for:

following up the daily implementation of Union Matters

performing all duties assigned to him by the President
performing all duties and functions of the President’s office when the President is out of office or out of
the country

The Constitution provides that whenever President comes from Tanzania Mainland the Vice President shall
come from the other side of the Union (Zanzibar) and whenever the President comes from Zanzibar the Vice
President shall come from Tanzania Mainland. The Prime Minister of the United Republic is the leader of
Government business in the National Assembly, controls, supervises and executes daily functions and affairs
of the Government of the United Republic, and any other matters the President directs to be done. The
President of Zanzibar is the Head of the Executive for Zanzibar, i.e.; the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar
and is the Chairman of the Zanzibar Revolutionary Council.
The Prime Minister is appointed by the President from among members of the National Assembly who has
been elected from the constituency, the President also appoints cabinet ministers. The Government executes
its functions through Ministers led by Cabinet Ministers.

President Dr. John Pombe Magufuli became the current President of the United Republic on 5 November 2015
after winning the general election which was held on 25 October 2015, winning 58% of the total votes, and his
running mate Ms. Samia Suluhu Hassan became the first female Vice President of Tanzania.

SN CANDIDATE RUNNING MATE PARTY

1 Anna Elisha Mghwira Hamad Mussa Yussuf Alliance For Change and Transparency (ACT)

Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo

2 Edward Ngoyai Lowassa Juma Duni Haji
(CHADEMA)

3 Fahmi Nassoro Dovutwa Hamidi Mohamed Ibrahim United People’s Democracy Party (UPDP)

Hashimu Spunda
4 Issa Abbas Hussein Chama cha Ukombozi wa Umma (CHAUMA)
Rungwe

Janken Malik Simai Abdulrahman

5 National Reconstruction Alliance (NRA)
Kasambala Abdulla

6 John Pombe Magufuli Samia Suluhu Hassan Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM)

7 Lutalosa Yembe Said Miraji Abdalaah Alliance for Democratic Change (ADC)

8 Macmillan Elifatio Lyimo - Tanzania Labour Party (TLP)

Since independence, Tanzania has held peaceful elections. Tanzania was a one-party system of democracy
between 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, and 1990; in the first elections, held in 1962, the ruling party captured
all seats hence the de-facto one party state emerged, to be later regularized by law in 1965.

In 1992, following the constitutional reforms, described herein above, the formation and organization of
political parties is now conducted under the Political Parties Act 1992. About 22 political parties have been
registered since then and multiparty general elections were held under the new multiparty system in 1995,
2000, and 2005, 2010 and the most recent 2015.

PERCENTAGE
SN CANDIDATE PARTY VOTES
(%)
 Dr. John Pombe
1 Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) 8,882,935 58.46
Magufuli

Edward Ngoyai Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo

2 6,072,848 39.97
Lowassa (CHADEMA)

3 Anna Elisha Mghwira Alliance For Change and Transparency (ACT) 98,763 0.65

4 Lutalosa Yembe Alliance for Democratic Change (ADC) 66,049 0.43

Hashim Spunda
5 Chama cha Ukombozi wa Umma (CHAUMA) 49,256 0.32
Rungwe

Macmillan Elifatio
6 Tanzania Labour Party (TLP) 8,198 0.05
Lyimo

Janken Malik
7 National Reconstruction Alliance (NRA) 8,028 0.05
Kasambala

Fahmi Nassoro
8 United People’s Democracy Party (UPDP) 7,785 0.05
Dovutwa

INVALID VOTES 402,248

TOTAL VOTES 15,596,110 67.34

REGISTERED VOTERS 23,161,440

One of the Presidential candidates for 2015 General Election, the late Rev. Christopher Mtikila of Democratic
Party could not meet the conditions and was disqualified from the election.

3.2. The Legislature

The Legislature, or the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania, consists of two parts, i.e. the President
and the National Assembly. The President exercises authority vested in him by the Constitution to assent to
bills by Parliament in order to complete the enactment process before they become law.

The National Assembly, which is the principal legislative organ of the United Republic, has authority on behalf
of the people to oversee and the accountability of the Government of the United Republic and all its organs of
their particular duties.
The Parliament is headed by the Speaker, who is assisted by the Deputy Speaker, and the Clerk as the head of
the Secretariat of the National Assembly. The National Assembly also has various standing Committees to
support in its various functions. The National Assembly of Tanzania is constituted by one chamber, with
members elected form various constituencies across mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. Under the
Constitution, women’s representation is provided for as a special category, in order to increase the
participation of women in national politics. The President also has the powers to appoint ten members of
Parliament. Elections are supervised by an Independent National Electoral Commission which is established
under the Constitution. And elections in Zanzibar are supervised by Zanzibar Election Commission (ZEC). ZEC
supervises Presidential elections, Members of Representatives and Councilors elections.

3.3. The Judiciary

3.3.1. Judicial System of Mainland Tanzania

The legal system of Tanzania is largely based on common law, as stated previously, but is also
accommodates Islamic or customary laws, the latter sources of law being called upon in personal or family
matters. The judiciary is formed by the various courts of judicature and is independent from the government.
Tanzania adheres to and respects the constitutional principles of separation of powers. The Constitutional
makes provision for the establishment of an independent judiciary, and the respect for the principles of the
rule of law, human rights and good governance.

The Judiciary in Tanzania can be illustrated as follows. The Judiciary in Tanzania has four tiers: The Court of
Appeal of the United Republic of Tanzania, the High Courts for Mainland Tanzania, Magistrates Courts, which
are at two levels, i.e. the Resident Magistrate Courts and the District Court, both of which have concurrent
jurisdiction. Primary Courts are the lowest in the judicial hierarchy.

Court of Appeal
↑
High Court of Tanzania
↑
Resident Magistrates Courts – District Courts
↑
Primary Courts

Court of Appeal: The Court of Appeal of Tanzania, established under Article 108 of the Constitution, is the
highest Court in the hierarchy of judiciary in Tanzania. It consists of the Chief Justice and other Justices of
Appeal. The Court of Appeal of Tanzania is the court of final appeal at the apex of the judiciary in Tanzania.
The High Court of Tanzania (for mainland Tanzania) and the High Court of Zanzibar are courts of unlimited
original jurisdiction and appeals there from go to the Court of Appeal.

High Courts: The High Court of Tanzania was established under Article 107 of the Constitution and it has
unlimited original jurisdiction to entertain all types of cases. The High Courts exercise original jurisdiction on
matters of a constitutional nature and have powers to entertain election petitions. The High Court’s Main
Registry (which includes the sub-registries) caters for all civil and criminal matters. The High Court (mainland
Tanzania) has established 14 sub Registries in different zone of the country. It also has three specialized
divisions, the Commercial Division, Labour Division and the Land Division. All appeals from subordinate
courts go to the High Court of Tanzania. Matters at the High Courts are adjudicated by judges.

Subordinate Courts: These include the Resident Magistrate Courts and the District Courts, which both enjoy
concurrent jurisdiction. These courts are established under the Magistrate Courts Act of 1984. The District
Courts, unlike the Resident Magistrates Courts, are found throughout all the districts in Tanzania (the local
government unit). They receive appeals from the Primary Courts, several of which will be found in one district.
The resident magistrates Courts are located in major towns, municipalities and cities, which serve as the
regional (provincial) headquarters. Matters at the Resident Magistrate Courts and District Courts are being
adjudicated by Magistrates

Primary Courts: The primary courts are the lowest courts in the hierarchy and are established under the
Magistrates Courts Act of 1984. They deal with criminal cases and civil cases. Civil cases on property and
family law matters which apply customary law and Islamic law must be initiated at the level of the Primary
Court, where the Magistrates sits with at least two assessors (the jury system does not apply in Tanzania).

Tribunals: These are specialized tribunals, which form part of the judicial structure. These for example
include the District Land and Housing Tribunal, Tax Tribunal and the Tax Appeals Tribunal, Labour
Reconciliation Board, the Tanzania Industrial Court, Trade and Service Marks Tribunal and Fair Competition
Tribunal. A party who feels dissatisfied with any decision of the Tribunals may refer the same to the High
Court for judicial review.

Court Martial and Court Martial Appeal Court: These two Courts are established under the National Defence
Act, they apply only to the military for offences committed in the course of their duty (service offences). The
Court Martial is presided over by military officers, whereas Court Martial Appeal Court consists of a full bench
of High Court Judges. It hears appeals from the Court Martial and its decisions are final and binding without
any further appeal.

Juvenile Courts: These Courts are established under the Children and Young Person Act Cap 13 and Children
Act of 2010. The proceedings are conducted in camera. They are presided by the District Magistrate.

3.3.2. Judicial System of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar

The High Court of Zanzibar has exclusive original jurisdiction for all matters in Zanzibar, as is the case for the
High Court on mainland Tanzania.The Zanzibar court system is quite similar to the Tanzania mainland
system, except that Zanzibar retains Islamic courts. These adjudicate Muslim family cases such as divorces,
child custody and inheritance.

The structure of the Zanzibar legal system is as follows:

Court of Appeal of United Republic of Tanzania

↑
High Court of Zanzibar
↑
Magistrate Court ↔ Kadhi’s Appeal Courts

↑ ↑
Primary Courts Kadhi’s Court

Court of Appeal of United Republic of Tanzania: The Court of Appeal of United Republic of Tanzania handles
all matters from the High Court of Zanzibar.

High Court: The High Court of Zanzibar is structured with the same structure as the High Court of Tanzania
Mainland and it handles all appeals from the lower subordinate courts including appeals from Kadhi’s Appeal
Court. The High Court of Zanzibar decisions are final for appeals from the Kadhi’s Appeal Court. The High
Court of Zanzibar is headed by the Chief Justice of Zanzibar and other Judges of High Court.

Magistrate’s Court: These Courts have jurisdiction to entertain cases of different nature, except for cases
under Islamic law, which they have no jurisdiction to try which are tried in the Kadhi’s courts.

Kadhi’s Appeal Court: The main role of the Kadhi’s Appeal Court of Zanzibar is to hear all appeals from the
Kadhi’s court, which adjudicates on Islamic law.
Kadhi’s Courts: These are the lowest courts in Zanzibar which have adjudicate all Islamic family matters such
as divorce, distribution of matrimonial assets, custody of children and inheritance but only with Muslim
families.

Primary Courts: These have the same rank as the Kadhi’s Courts, and they deal with criminal and civil cases
of customary nature.

4. Locating Legal Material

There are a number of places one can obtain legal materials in Tanzania: Libraries, The Library of the Court of
Appeal of Tanzania, the High Court Library, the High Court Land Division Library, Commercial Division of the
High Court Library, the Attorney General’s Office at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs,
University of Dar Es Salaam Library, National Archives, Government Bookshop, Dar Es Salaam Bookshop, the
United Nations Information Centre, , Mzumbe University, Iringa University, Ruaha University, Open University of
Tanzania and many more others.

4.1. Case Laws

Reported cases in Tanzania can be found in a number of Law Reports. Between 1957 and 1977 cases
reported from the High Court of Tanzania and the East African Court of Appeal appeared in East Africa Law
Reports. Law Africa, a law report publishing company has updated the reports for cases from the three East
African jurisdictions, of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania up to 2007. Current editions of the law reports can be
sourced from Law Africa Publishers.

Their corporate headquarters address is at: Law Africa Publishing (T) Limited; Co- Architecture Building 7th
Floor, India/ Makunganya Street; P. O. Box 38564, Dar es Salaam

The Tanzania Law Reports between 1983 and 1997 can be bought online as well.

A complete set of the Statutes of Tanzania, the Laws of Tanzania- Revised Edition of 2002 (21 Volumes)
including a supplementary legislation, and subsidiary legislations can be bought online from the same
references above.

The Tanzania Government Printer publishes the government's Official Gazette. The Official Gazette publishes
bills, legislative enactments, before and after assent, subsidiary legislations, announcement of all official
government appointments and dates of entry into force of all legislations. The same can be ordered through
the Government Publications Agency. Any other information on Tanzania can be accessed online as well.

4.2. Online Resources

These include the website of Parliament where one can access parliamentary information, including Acts and
Bills of Law. Other sites and resources are linked from the Tanzania Government website.

4.3. Secondary Sources of Information

General

Sally Falk Moore, Social Facts and Fabrication “Customary” Law on Kilimanjaro 1880-1980, (1986)
Issa Shivji, Intellectuals at the Hill: Essays and Talks, Dar Es Salaam University Press, (1993).

Constitutional and Administrative Law

Issa G. Shivji, The Legal Foundations of the Union in Tanzania’s Union and Zanzibar Constitution, Dar Es
Salaam University Press, (1990)
Issa G. Shivji, The Law, State and The Working class in Tanzania: C. 1920-1964
Harrison George Mwakyembe, Tanzania’s Eighth Amendment and Its Implications, (1995)
Issa G Shivji et al, Constitutional and Legal System of Tanzania: A Civics Sourcebook, ,(2004)
 Mtaki C.K. et al, Utawala wa Kikatiba na Demokrasia Nchini Tanzania , Dar es Salaam : Friedrich-
Naumann-Stiftung (1994)

Contract, Commercial and Company Law

Luoga F.D.A. Makinyika, A Sourcebook of Income Tax Law in Tanzania, Dar es Salaam Printers, April
(2000)
Pascal Mihyo, Non - Market Controls and the Accountability of Public Enterprises in Tanzania, Canada,
Institute of Social Studies (1994).
C.S. Binamungu, Liquidation Law and Practice in Tanzania Mainland, Mzumbe Book Project (2003).
C.S. Binamungu et al, Regulations of Banking Business in Tanzania, Mzumbe Book Project (2006).

Criminal Law and Procedure

Shaidi L.P, Penal Policy in Tanzania

J.M. Itemba, Law Relating to Bail in Tanzania, Dar Es Salaam University Press, (1991)

Civil law and Procedure

B.D. Chipeta, Civil Procedure in Tanzania: A Student’s Manual, (2002)

Family Law, Equity and Succession

Magdalena K. Rwebangira, The Legal Status of Women and Poverty in Tanzania, Scandinavian Institute of
African Studies Research Report No 100. (Paperback, 1996)

Land Law

James R.W and Fimbo G.M, Customary Land Law of Tanzania, EA literature Bureau, Nairobi, (1970).
G.M.Fimbo, Essays in Land Law Tanzania; Dar es Salaam: Faculty of Law, 1992.
Zebron Steven Gondwe, Manual for Transfer of Rights of Occupancy (2001)

Human Rights

Chris Maina Peter, Human Rights in Tanzania, Rüdiger Köppe Verlag (1997)
Chris Maina Peter, Human Rights in Africa: A Comparative Study of The African Human and People’s
Rights Charter and the New Tanzania’s Bill of Rights, Westport, Conn.; New York: Greenwood Press.
Published under the auspices of the Consortium on Human Rights Development (1990)
Chris Maina Peter et al, Fundamental Rights and Freedoms in Tanzania (1998)
Andrew Madsen, Hadzabe of Tanzania Land and Human Rights, IWGIA (2000)

5. Legal Education
To pursue a legal career in Tanzania one may start with a Certificate in Law, particularly for persons who have
discontinued secondary education, followed by a Diploma in Law, a Degree in Law (LL.B) and continue with a
Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL), Masters of Law (LL.M), Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and
Doctor of Laws (LL.D), which is the highest doctorate to be awarded. Students who have successfully
completed advanced secondary education and who qualify with good academic grades can also join a law
degree courses offered at any of the Universities in the country.

There are several universities which offer courses in law, such as the University of Dar es Salaam, Mzumbe
University, Open University, Iringa University, Ruaha University under St. Augustine, as well as other institutes
that offer Diploma in Law and Certificates in Law such as Mzumbe University and Lushoto Institute of Judicial
Administration. Certificate in Law courses are taught at the University of Dar es Salaam, Mzumbe University
and other institutes of learning such as the Police College and have enabled successful candidates to pursue
law degree courses.

Before 2007, any LL.B degree holder who has worked an internship and pupilage in two years can petition to
appear before the Bar. The Bar exam is an oral interview conducted under a panel of the Council for Legal
Education, which is composed of representatives of the Chief Justice of the United Republic of Tanzania, the
Attorney General of the United Republic, the Dean of Faculty of Law, of the University of Dar Es Salaam, and
two representatives of the Law Society. A successful candidate is sworn in and enrolled as an Advocate of
the High Court of Tanzania and sub-ordinate Courts thereto. Advocates do not have the right of audience
before the Primary Courts in Tanzania.

In 2007, the Government enacted Law School of Tanzania Act. This Act requires all law graduates from
recognized universities to attend a twelve months legal practical training. Upon completion, they are enrolled
as Advocates of the High Court and are awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice. The Law School
of Tanzania has capacity to enroll more than 350 legal trainees at ago.

More information can be found at the University of Dar es Salaam’s website.

6. Legal Profession
Any person enrolled as an advocate under the Advocates Act, Chapter 341 of the Laws of Tanzania [R.E.2002]
and listed as a member of the Tanganyika Law Society, established pursuant to the Tanganyika Law Society
Act Chapter 307 of the Laws of Tanzania [R.E 2002] can practice law as an Advocate, Notary Public and
Commissioner for Oaths. He or she shall be subject to the disciplinary rules and etiquette as promulgated
under the said laws, and subject to the Ethics Committee of the Law Society and the Advocates Disciplinary
Committee established under the Advocates Act CAP 341.

Any inquiries as to the practice of law in Tanzania may be addressed to the Executive Secretary of the
Tanganyika Law Society.