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
8 judgments

Court registries

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8 judgments
Citation
Judgment date
October 2003
Acquisition for transfer to a foreign embassy was not a statutory ‘public purpose’; acquisition invalid, market compensation awarded.
Land acquisition — public purpose — statutory construction of section 4(1) — acquisition to grant land to foreign embassy not a public purpose; Procedural compliance — mandatory notice and publication under Land Acquisition Act — failure renders acquisition invalid; Compensation — equitable relief — market value (willing seller/willing buyer) awarded; No punitive or special damages.
16 October 2003
September 2003
Whether the applicant established a prima facie case and probability of success for an interlocutory injunction in a trade‑mark/passing‑off dispute.
* Trade mark law – interlocutory injunction – passing off – requirement to show a prima facie case with probability of success; caution against prejudging merits at interlocutory stage; irreparable harm and balance of convenience considerations.
17 September 2003
July 2003
An arbitral award was set aside for denying the petitioner a fair opportunity to present its case; rehearing ordered.
Arbitration — whether incorrect statutory citation is fatal — denial of opportunity to file reply, lead oral evidence or make final submissions — misconduct/denial of fair hearing — setting aside arbitral award and ordering rehearing before alternate arbitrator.
30 July 2003
A subordinate court lacked jurisdiction to try bankruptcy-related proceedings involving a Specified Public Corporation; proceedings quashed.
Jurisdiction – Bankruptcy jurisdiction resides in the High Court unless delegated – Specified Public Corporation (GN 321) – PSRC vested as official receiver – subordinate court lacked jurisdiction – proceedings nullity and quashed.
25 July 2003
High Court allows revision: District Court lacked jurisdiction; child custody restored to applicant on welfare grounds with limited visitation.
* Family law – Custody – Jurisdiction to entertain custody petitions – Requirement of domicile or residence under s.77(4) Law of Marriage Act. * Revision – High Court’s power to nullify proceedings taken without jurisdiction. * Child welfare principle – s.125(2) Law of Marriage Act and Article 3 UNCRC paramount in custody determinations. * Visitation rights – limited non-overnight access and maintenance obligations.
22 July 2003
May 2003
High Court granted mandatory leave to sue for trespass on unregistered village land in a District Court rather than the Primary Court.
* Land law – unregistered village land – forum – leave of High Court required under proviso to s.63 Magistrate's Courts Act to commence proceedings outside Primary Court. * Civil procedure – ex parte application for leave to institute suit in District Court – statutory precondition satisfied and leave granted. * Trespass – intended suit concerning immovable property held as unregistered village land.
23 May 2003
Court granted applicants leave to institute a representative suit for terminal benefits against the respondent company.
Representative action – Order 1 Rule 8 CPC – leave to sue on behalf of numerous claimants – authorization by fellow claimants – multiplicity of parties and common interest – suit for terminal benefits.
22 May 2003
February 2003
Application for execution was challenged as incompetent because the named Conciliation Board lacked lawful existence.
Conciliation Boards – competence of execution – GN 155 of 1965 requires boards be established in existing districts – decisions of boards not lawfully constituted are not enforceable.
24 February 2003