The Judiciary of Tanzania is responsible for interpreting and applying the law in the United Republic of Tanzania. Established under the 1977 Constitution, it operates independently of the executive and legislative branches. The Tanzanian Constitution guarantees the independence of the judiciary, ensuring that judges and magistrates are free from external influence and subject only to the law. This framework upholds the rule of law and ensures fair adjudication of disputes.
The Court of Appeal has jurisdiction over both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. It handles appeals from the High Courts and is presided over by the Chief Justice.
The High Court of Mainland Tanzania has 14 regional divisions, with its headquarters in Dar es Salaam. It possesses unlimited jurisdiction over all types of cases and hears appeals from subordinate courts. Specialized divisions within the High Court address commercial, land, and labor disputes.
Resident Magistrates' Courts are typically located in major cities and serve as regional hubs, while District Courts are found in each district. Both have jurisdiction over various civil and criminal matters within their areas.
Primary Courts handle minor civil and criminal cases, often involving customary and Islamic law. They are widely distributed across the country, ensuring access to justice at the grassroots level.
In recent years, Tanzania has undertaken initiatives to modernize its judicial system. Projects like the Citizen-Centric Judicial Modernization and Justice Service Delivery Project aim to improve efficiency and transparency within the judiciary. These efforts include the implementation of electronic case management systems and the enhancement of court infrastructure.