High Court of Tanzania

This is the second level in the Judiciary justice delivery hierarchy. It has both appellate and original powers on civil and criminal matters. It also hears appeals from the Courts of Resident Magistrate, the District Courts, and the District Land and Housing Tribunals in exercise of their original, appellate and/or revisional jurisdiction. The High Court is divided into Zones and specialized Divisions. 

Physical address
24 Kivukoni Road, P O Box: S.L.P. 9004
76,188 judgments

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76,188 judgments
Citation
Judgment date
November 2025
Appeal allowed: DLHT judgment quashed because respondent lacked locus standi to claim ownership of disputed land.
* Land law – ownership disputes – requirement of proof of title or lawful succession before claiming ownership. * Civil procedure – locus standi – standing is jurisdictional and a party must show sufficient legal interest to sue. * Evidence – admission that land belonged to deceased owner and absence of transfer/administration documents undermines claim. * Adverse possession – not adjudicated on appeal where locus standi defect disposes the case.
14 November 2025
Appellant failed to prove on balance of probabilities that respondent harvested 90 bags of maize; appeal dismissed with costs.
Civil procedure – burden of proof and balance of probabilities; evidence – weight of testimony vs documentary proof; ownership/permission does not prove wrongful harvesting; alleged admission must appear on record.
14 November 2025
Tribunal rightly found appellant’s title issued by mistake and affirmed respondent’s ownership; appeal dismissed.
Land law – title deed not conclusive where title issued by mistake; burden of proof in ownership disputes; assessors’ opinions are not binding on the trial judge; joinder of land authorities required only where issuance, revocation, or registry/survey records are directly challenged.
14 November 2025
Delay caused by the trial tribunal and e‑filing problems can justify an extension of time to file an appeal.
Civil procedure – Extension of time – Sufficient cause – Applicant must account for days of delay, show diligence and promptness (Lyamuya principles); delay attributable to trial tribunal’s failure to rectify judgment and e‑filing/network problems can constitute sufficient cause; uncontested affidavit and ex parte hearing considered.
14 November 2025
An unequivocal guilty plea bars appeal against conviction; court reduced the 30-year term by two and a half years already served.
* Criminal procedure – Plea of guilty – Requirements for plea-taking and recording – plea unequivocal and admission of facts; appeal against conviction barred under s.381(1) CPA except as to sentence. * Sentencing – Discretion to consider mitigating factors (early plea, first offender, remorse) under Penal Code s.131(1) and sentencing guidelines; appellate interference where mitigation overlooked. * Appellate relief – Use of s.172(1)(c) CPA to deduct time already served from imposed sentence. * Concurrent sentences and compensation orders – left undisturbed where proper.
14 November 2025
Minor contradictions did not defeat respondent’s evidence; ownership proved on balance of probabilities; appeal dismissed.
* Land dispute – proof of ownership – burden of proof on balance of probabilities – party with heavier/corroborated evidence prevails. * Evaluation of evidence – minor contradictions attributable to age or lapse of memory do not vitiate a party’s case. * Procedural error – misdirected finding on unpleaded witness requirement can be immaterial if respondent’s case is otherwise proved.
14 November 2025
Respondent proved ownership on the balance of probabilities; appeal dismissed and no costs ordered.
* Land law – ownership disputes – evaluation of oral testimony – distinguishing minor (age/memory-related) discrepancies from material contradictions that go to the root of title. * Evidence – burden on balance of probabilities in civil claims; party with heavier, credible evidence prevails. * Pleadings – court will not fault respondent where claimant did not plead a particular chain of title. * Credibility – corroborative neighbour evidence can bolster possession/ownership claims.
14 November 2025
An appeal against an ex parte tribunal judgment is incompetent unless the appellant first applies to set aside that judgment.
* Land law – ex parte judgment – requirement to apply to set aside ex parte judgment before appealing.* Civil procedure – competence of appeal – High Court revisional powers under s.42 and s.43 of the Land Disputes Courts Act.* Pleadings – description of land and boundaries (Order VII r.3 CPC) – procedural objections not determined where appeal is incompetent.
14 November 2025
Non-joinder of the Registrar of Titles and the principal owner in a registered land dispute renders proceedings bad and was fatal.
Land law – registered land – necessary parties – failure to join Registrar of Titles and principal owner in proceedings concerning registered title; agency – agent/court broker cannot be sued alone where principal’s proprietary rights are affected; procedural law – preliminary objections and curability of pleading defects under overriding objective.
14 November 2025
Proceedings vitiated where Ward Tribunal adjudicated instead of mediating, assessors' opinions unrecorded, and evidence improperly recorded.
* Land law – Ward Tribunal role – mediation not adjudication required under section 13 LDCA; * Jurisdiction – District Tribunal cannot hear matter absent proper Ward mediation (s.13(4)); * Procedure – assessors' opinions must be recorded, read and incorporated; failure is fatal; * Evidence – witness statements must be recorded in narrative form (Order XVIII, R.10 CPC); * Remedy – proceedings and judgment nullified; matter may be instituted afresh from Ward Tribunal.
14 November 2025
Child victim's credible testimony, corroborated by medical evidence, sufficed to uphold rape conviction and sentence.
Criminal law – Sexual offences – Rape of a child: elements (age, penetration, identity) – Child’s uncorroborated evidence admissible and may ground conviction where credibility is properly assessed (s.135(6) TEA R:E 2023) – Contradictions must be material to vitiate prosecution case – Court will not entertain new issues on appeal absent pleading or leave.
14 November 2025
Court granted stay of execution pending extension-application, conditional on a Tzs.585,000,000 commitment bond and status quo.
* Civil Procedure – Stay of execution – Order XXI r.24 and Order XXXIX r.5(3) – conditions: substantial loss, no unreasonable delay, and security. * Security for stay – immovable property – commitment bond equivalent to decretal amount. * Maintenance of status quo pending determination of extension of time to appeal application.
14 November 2025
A tribunal’s unilateral alteration of issues without hearing parties breaches natural justice and vitiates its judgment.
* Civil procedure – change of issues mid‑trial – tribunal must record reasons and consult parties; unilateral alteration breaches audi alteram partem and vitiates proceedings. * Land dispute – procedural irregularity leading to quashing of judgment and remittal for rehearing. * Principles: Order XIV r.1 CPC, right to be heard, authorities on natural justice.
14 November 2025
Unsigned witness testimonies render tribunal proceedings unauthentic, requiring nullification and retrial.
* Procedure – Court proceedings – Requirement for presiding officer's signature at the end of each witness's testimony – Authenticity of record – Unsigned testimonies render proceedings unauthentic and vitiated. * Appeal/Revision – Incurable procedural irregularity – Nullity of proceedings – Retrial ordered before different chairman and new assessors. * Overriding objective – Not available to cure absence of authentication of trial record.
14 November 2025
Extension of time granted where appellant’s earlier Court of Appeal appeal was struck out, constituting excusable technical delay.
Appellate procedure – extension of time under s.11(1) AJA – striking out appeal extinguishes notice of appeal – technical delay excusable – compliance with Court of Appeal Rules (service) raised but not determinative.
14 November 2025
Appeal allowed: prosecution failed to prove statutory rape beyond reasonable doubt due to weak corroboration and forensic gaps.
* Criminal law – Rape (statutory rape) – burden of proof: prosecution must prove penetration and identity beyond reasonable doubt. * Evidence – Victim’s testimony: best evidence in sexual offences but must be free, voluntary and credible. * Evidence – Hearsay and second‑hand evidence: caution when relying on mother’s account and police repetition. * Evidence – Corroboration and forensic evidence: medical PF3 inconclusive; absence of sperm/DNA weakens prosecution case. * Procedure – Failure to call material witnesses and to collect forensic evidence may attract adverse inference. * Appeal – First appellate court as rehearing: duty to re‑evaluate evidence objectively.
13 November 2025
A court lacks jurisdiction where the mandatory marriage conciliation certificate is not tendered and admitted as evidence.
Family law – Jurisdiction under s.101 Law of Marriage Act – mandatory Marriage Conciliation Board certificate – requirement to file, tender and admit certificate; Annexures to pleadings are not evidence; Appellate procedure – jurisdictional points may be raised at any stage; Matrimonial property division – issues of existence and contribution not determined due to jurisdictional nullity.
13 November 2025
High Court lacks jurisdiction to grant stay of execution once a notice of appeal to the Court of Appeal has been filed.
* Civil procedure – stay of execution – Order XXXIX r.5 CPC – jurisdiction – effect of lodging notice of appeal – once appeal to Court of Appeal commences High Court ceases to have jurisdiction; preliminary objection – application struck out with costs.
13 November 2025
Delay by prison authorities in lodging an appeal notice may justify an extension of time to appeal under section 382(2).
Criminal procedure – Extension of time to appeal – Section 382(2) CPA; Prisoner litigants – inability of prison authorities to lodge notices – sufficient cause for extension; Court discretion – imposition of timetable for filing notice and petition of appeal.
13 November 2025
Prosecution failed to prove statutory rape beyond reasonable doubt due to inconsistent testimony and unreliable medical and investigative evidence.
* Criminal law – Statutory rape – Elements: proof of victim's age and penetration – age proved but penetration not established beyond reasonable doubt. * Evidence – Credibility assessment – material inconsistencies in victim's testimony may undermine conviction. * Medical evidence – Expert report must explain basis of conclusion; unexplained contradictions weaken corroboration. * Defence – Alibi not previously disclosed may be accorded weight in court’s discretion (section 200(6) CPA). * Procedure – Failure to call the investigator may attract adverse inference and weaken prosecution case.
13 November 2025
Court granted temporary injunction preventing eviction and closure of petrol stations pending resolution of contractual dispute.
* Civil procedure – interim injunction – prerequisites: prima facie case, irreparable injury, balance of convenience; * Contract/Commercial law – marketing licence, termination and eviction of petrol stations; * Interim relief to preserve status quo pending substantive proceedings; * Loss of goodwill and business continuity as irreparable harm.
13 November 2025
Proved sickness of counsel constitutes sufficient cause to restore an appeal dismissed for want of prosecution.
Civil procedure – Order XXXIX r.19 – restoration of appeal dismissed for want of prosecution; sickness of counsel as sufficient cause; proof of incapacity; assessment confined to circumstances on hearing date; costs – each party to bear own costs.
13 November 2025
A Power of Attorney for litigation must state why the donor cannot act personally; omission robs the donee of locus standi.
* Companies law – petitions concerning conduct of liquidator – standing to sue – reliance on Power of Attorney as source of locus standi. * Powers of attorney – litigation – requirement that instrument disclose reasons preventing donor from acting personally – omission renders instrument defective. * Civil procedure – preliminary objections – court may examine foundational documents when authority to sue depends solely on them. * Procedural consequence – defect in locus standi is fatal and warrants striking out the petition.
13 November 2025
Appeal dismissed: prosecution failed to prove assault beyond reasonable doubt; Primary Court may award compensation up to Tshs.100,000.
* Criminal law – proof beyond reasonable doubt – assault causing actual bodily harm – necessity of medical evidence/PF3 and corroboration. * Criminal procedure – appellate re-evaluation of evidence – District Court’s power to quash unsafe convictions. * Jurisdiction – Primary Courts’ power to award compensation under section 5(1)(b) of the Primary Courts Criminal Procedure Code – limit of Tshs.100,000 unless offence appears in Minimum Sentences Act.
13 November 2025
Application to set aside ex parte judgment dismissed: court found effective service and no sufficient cause for re‑hearing.

Civil procedure – Application to set aside ex parte judgment – Proof of service of summons – stamped receipt and court file entries – sufficiency of affidavits – re‑hearing under Order XXXIX r.21 CPC – remedy by appeal.

13 November 2025
A court administration technical delay amounted to sufficient cause to grant extension to file a notice of appeal.
Land appeal — Extension of time to file Notice of Appeal — Sufficient/good cause — Technical delay attributable to court administration — Section 14(1) Law of Limitation Act — Duty to account for delay; court’s discretion.
13 November 2025
Appeal allowed where prosecution failed to prove child rape beyond reasonable doubt due to hearsay and weak corroboration.
* Criminal law – Sexual offences – Child rape – essential ingredients: victim's age, penetration, and identity must be proved beyond reasonable doubt. * Evidence – Victim testimony: credibility and quality required; not to be accepted as gospel truth. * Evidence – Hearsay: testimonies of non‑eyewitnesses that recount what others said do not substitute for direct proof. * Evidence – Medical reports (PF3): may show penetration but are opinion evidence and do not alone establish identity. * Standard of proof: conviction requires proof beyond reasonable doubt; failure to prove identity quashes conviction.
13 November 2025
Court awards appellant 20% of Njombe house and adjusts shares of other matrimonial houses after finding unrebutted oral contributions and insufficient proof of debts.
Matrimonial property – existence and proof – oral/unrecorded contributions by spouse – balance of probabilities; Matrimonial property division – consideration of informal earnings and domestic/management contributions; Debts and deductions – unexplained salary slip deductions insufficient to prove debt contracted for joint benefit.
12 November 2025
An appellate court should expunge improperly admitted exhibits and re-evaluate evidence rather than order retrial; matter remitted for fresh judgment.
Civil procedure – appellate remedies for improperly admitted documentary exhibits – expunction and re-evaluation of remaining evidence preferred over retrial; second appeal limits on re-assessment of facts; oral evidence may be relied upon after expunction.
12 November 2025
Summary judgment for unpaid statutory social security contributions and penalties where defendant failed to seek leave to defend.
* Social security law – statutory employer and employee contributions – obligation to remit 20% monthly (10% employer, 10% employee). * Civil procedure – summary judgment – effect of entering appearance without obtaining leave to defend in a summary suit. * Evidence – reliance on inspection report, arrears schedule and penalty notice to prove quantum of arrears and penalties. * Remedy – judgment for arrears and penalties with interest; no costs order.
12 November 2025
Delay from prison transfer and late provision of judgment copies justified extension of time to lodge appeal.
Criminal procedure – extension of time under section 382(2) Criminal Procedure Act – delay due to late supply of judgment and intra-prison transfer – time for obtaining copies excluded from computation – requirement of diligence and sufficient cause.
12 November 2025
Failure by the applicant to exhaust the statutory appeal under section 102 renders the counter-claim against land authorities incompetent.
* Land law – Land Registration Act, section 102 – mandatory exhaustion of statutory remedies before suing Registrar/Attorney General/Commissioner. * Civil procedure – preliminary objection – competence and jurisdiction – when a PO may dispose of a matter as a pure point of law. * Judicial notice – court entitled to take notice of its own prior orders and records. * Abuse of process – instituting proceedings contrary to prior court directions. * Relief – striking out counter-claim as incompetent where statutory preconditions not complied with.
12 November 2025
Extension of time to file appeal granted where prisoner prepared notice but prison authorities failed to lodge it; electronic filing rules noted.
Criminal procedure – extension of time to lodge notice and petition of appeal – prisoner prepared notice but prison authorities failed to lodge it – Judicature and Application of Laws (Electronic Filing) Rules, 2018 (Rules 10(2) and 24(5)) – use of service bureaus and ex parte relief for technical filing problems.
12 November 2025
An executing tribunal must implement an existing decree and cannot re‑determine previously adjudicated issues or vary the decree.
Execution of decrees – executing court confined to implementation of decree and cannot vary its terms; defects in pleadings (e.g., inadequate description of immovable property) must be raised at trial or on appeal; res judicata and jurisdictional issues previously determined cannot be re-opened by execution proceedings; functus officio doctrine.
12 November 2025
Applicant’s credible reasons for non-appearance (network problems, reference search) justified setting aside dismissal for want of prosecution.
Civil procedure – Setting aside dismissal for want of prosecution – Order XXXIX Rule 19 CPC; Court discretion – sufficient/good cause; Relevant factors: length and reason for delay, dilatory conduct (Barclays Bank v Mcheni).
12 November 2025
Extension of time granted to file appeal notice due to prison authorities' failure to lodge applicants' documents.
* Criminal procedure – extension of time to file notice of intention to appeal – prisoners’ inability to lodge documents due to prison authorities’ failure. * Electronic filing – Judicature and Application of Laws (Electronic Filing) Rules, 2018 – Rules 10(2) and 24(5): filing via electronic transmission or service bureaus and relief for technical problems.
12 November 2025
Ministerial extension under s44(1) rendered the applicant's suit timely; constitutional challenge unsuitable as preliminary objection.
* Limitation law – tort claims – three-year limitation – ministerial extension under section 44(1) of the Law of Limitation Act – effect of annexed extension on timeliness of suit. * Civil procedure – preliminary objection – mixed question of law and fact – Mukisa test – inadmissibility of factual/constitutional disputes by preliminary objection. * Administrative/constitutional law – challenge to ministerial exercise of extension and alleged interference with judicial independence not determinable at preliminary stage.
12 November 2025
Summary judgment granted for unpaid NSSF contributions and penalties after defendant failed to obtain leave to defend.
* Civil procedure – Order XXXV summary procedure – effect of defendant’s failure to obtain leave to defend – failure to appear deemed admission (Order XXXV r.2(e)). * Social security – Recovery of unremitted members’ contributions and penalties under NSSF Act – entitlement established by registration and remittance records. * Summary judgment – appropriateness where no substantial defence is shown and defendant fails to seek leave to defend.
12 November 2025
Applicant granted extension to file appeal due to delay caused by tribunal’s failure to supply records; appeal to be filed within 30 days.
Civil procedure – extension of time to file appeal – sufficient cause/good cause – delay due to non‑supply of tribunal records – discretionary power under s.14(1) Law of Limitation Act – ex parte determination where respondent absent.
12 November 2025
Delay caused by transfer and awaiting court records constituted sufficient cause to extend time for criminal appeal.
Criminal procedure – extension of time under section 382(2) – sufficient cause – delay in supply of judgment and proceedings excluded from computation – transfer between prisons – applicant’s diligence and respondent’s non‑opposition.
12 November 2025
Conviction quashed where identification, exhibit chain of custody, confession, and prolonged detention were defective.
Criminal law – proof beyond reasonable doubt; identification by recognition – need for descriptive particulars; armed robbery – necessity of proving violence and weapon with corroboration (PF3/medical evidence); seizure and exhibits – requirement for unbroken chain of custody and detailed seizure documentation; confessions – strict compliance with statutory procedural safeguards; constitutional rights – right to be brought before court promptly and prejudice from prolonged pre-arraignment detention.
12 November 2025
Second appeal upheld liability under a signed agreement; privity, mistake and duress defenses failed; appeal dismissed with costs.
Contract law – privity of contract; validity of subsequent agreement (Exhibit P1) – duress, mutual mistake and unlawful consideration under Law of Contract Act ss.20,24; scope of second appeal – interference with concurrent findings of fact; joinder of necessary parties; procedural application of Evidence Act and Civil Procedure Code.
11 November 2025
Summary judgment granted where respondent failed to defend unpaid statutory pension contributions and penalties.
* Civil procedure — Summary judgment under Order XXXV — Effect of failure to file defence after leave to defend — Allegations in plaint deemed admitted. * Employment/social security law — Employer's statutory duty to remit members' contributions — Liability for unremitted contributions and statutory penalties. * Remedies — Statutory additional contribution (interest) at 5% compound per month until full satisfaction; costs.
11 November 2025
Summary judgment granted for unpaid statutory social security contributions and penalties where defendant failed to obtain leave to defend.
* Social Security Law – Employer’s statutory duty to remit employee and employer contributions monthly – sections 12 and 14(1) of NSSF Act. * Civil Procedure – Summary suit procedure – effect of defendant entering appearance but failing to obtain leave to defend; plaintiff entitled to summary judgment. * Evidence – sufficiency of inspection report, arrears schedule and penalty notice to establish liability and quantum. * Remedies – decretal sum with court-prescribed interest; costs discretionary.
11 November 2025
Appeal allowed: conviction quashed because prosecution failed to prove lack of consent beyond reasonable doubt.
Criminal law – Rape – Elements: penetration and absence of consent – Victim’s evidence as best evidence but must be credible, reliable and probable – Appellate re‑evaluation of credibility – Medical report (PF3) corroboration vs. evidential insufficiency on consent.
11 November 2025
Applicant failed to account for delay; illegality alone insufficient to justify extension of time.
Extension of time – application for leave to appeal – applicant must account for every day of delay and show diligence – illegality as ground for extension must be apparent on the face of the record – uncorroborated assertions insufficient.
11 November 2025
Leave for judicial review must be sought within six months of the definitive administrative act; late filings are time‑barred.
Judicial review — Limitation — Rule 6 GN. No. 324 of 2014 — six‑month mandatory period — accrual runs from date of final administrative act/omission; reminders do not revive limitation — time‑bar renders court without jurisdiction.
11 November 2025
Court recorded and adopted the parties' settlement as a consent judgment restructuring the loan while preserving securities.
Civil procedure — Consent judgment — Order XXIII Rule 3 CPC — Court adoption of deed of settlement; Loan restructuring — currency conversion and conditional waiver; Continuing securities — preservation of guarantees and debentures; Receivership — discharge upon performance; Enforcement on default.
11 November 2025
Court held appeal timely because the applicant’s filing period ran from receipt of certified judgment copies, not delivery date.
* Criminal procedure – time limits for appeal under s.382(1)(b) CPA – computation of 45 days – exclusion of time spent obtaining copies of judgment and proceedings. * Prisoners and court procedure – assistance by prison officers – effect on computation of appeal time. * Jurisdiction – preliminary objection of time-bar dismissed where appellant obtained certified copies late and filed memorandum promptly thereafter.
11 November 2025
Revision dismissed: termination found unfair due to employer's failure to produce evidence and observe disciplinary procedure.
Labour law – unfair termination – employer’s burden to prove valid reason and fair procedure; disciplinary procedure (Rule 13(5) G.N. No. 42/2007); admissibility of exhibits; absence of employee admission; entitlement to severance where termination unfair; refusal to deduct alleged stolen amount without proof of employee liability.
11 November 2025