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
896 judgments

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896 judgments
Citation
Judgment date
August 2025
25 August 2025
A tribunal's failure to afford the applicant a hearing on an issue it raised suo moto rendered its decision a nullity.
Land law – procedural fairness – right to be heard – tribunal raising preliminary objection suo moto – refusal to afford applicant opportunity to address issue – natural justice – nullification of decision rendered without hearing party.
25 August 2025
25 August 2025
25 August 2025
21 August 2025
21 August 2025
21 August 2025
21 August 2025
Failure to properly record assessors’ opinions fatally vitiates tribunal proceedings and requires a retrial from the defective stage.
Land law – Land Disputes Courts Act – assessors’ opinions – failure to record assessors’ opinions – effect of procedural irregularity – nullification of tribunal’s proceedings and judgment – remittal for retrial.
15 August 2025
A court may not hold a non-party or mere contract witness liable for breach under the doctrine of privity of contract.
Civil procedure – revision – contract law – privity of contract – liability of non-party – powers of witness vs. guarantor – irregular ex parte proceedings – court powers of revision.
13 August 2025
A conviction for statutory rape of a child under ten was upheld, with mandatory life imprisonment affirmed despite alleged evidentiary contradictions.
Criminal law – statutory rape – burden of proof – credibility of child witness – effect of delay in reporting – contradictions in testimony – sentencing – mandatory life imprisonment for victim under ten years – Penal Code ss 130, 131(3).
12 August 2025
5 August 2025
July 2025
The court struck out a land recovery suit for non-compliance with mandatory notice requirements in government proceedings.
Government Proceedings Act – Compliance with section 6(2) – Service of 90 days’ notice to Solicitor General mandatory.
31 July 2025
The court dismissed a land ownership claim, affirming the 1st defendant's lawful ownership based on unchallenged tribunal judgment.
Land Law – Ownership dispute over Plot No. 138, Block 'D' in Mbinga Town – Validity of sale – Identity and credibility of claimant.
23 July 2025
Plaintiff's claim of land ownership dismissed due to lack of proof, defendants found lawful occupants through village government allocation.
Land law – ownership – disputed land – plaintiff's claim of ownership from inheritance – defendants' claim of land allocation by government during operation vijiji.
23 July 2025
The court upheld the conviction for unlawful possession of government trophy, affirming correct legal procedure and evidence handling.
Criminal Law – wildlife conservation – unlawful possession of government trophy – identification of evidence – chain of custody – procedural fairness.
22 July 2025
Appeal partly allowed; conviction for armed robbery set aside, conviction for grievous harm upheld with five-year sentence.
Criminal law – Armed robbery – Causing grievous harm – Evidence evaluation – Sentencing – Common intention.
22 July 2025
18 July 2025
18 July 2025
17 July 2025
Court approves adoption of child, emphasizing the child's best interest and compliance with legal requirements.
Child Adoption – determination of best interest of the child – compliance with legal procedures for adoption
16 July 2025
The applicants received a 14-day extension to file a revision application due to technical and electoral-related delays.
Labor Law – Extension of time – Grounds for delay – Technical delay – Electoral participation.
14 July 2025
14 July 2025
Court upheld the legality of fines and livestock confiscation under by-laws for grazing in restricted areas.
Environmental Management Act - by-laws - legal validity of fines - livestock grazing - lease agreement compliance
11 July 2025
10 July 2025
Ex parte judgment can only be contested via appeal after refusal to set aside the order for ex parte hearing.
Civil Procedure – Ex parte judgment – Setting aside – Jurisdiction – Functus officio – Right to appeal.
9 July 2025
Court grants extension of time for inmate to appeal due to justified issues of delay and reliance on prison services.
Criminal procedure – Extension of time – Application for appeal out of time due to delay in receiving court records and prison assistance.
8 July 2025
Application for extension of time struck out due to failure to attach the impugned ruling.
Preliminary objection – incompetence – failure to attach ruling in application for extension of time
3 July 2025
2 July 2025
The application for review of a retrial order was dismissed, as the errors alleged were not apparent for review.
Civil procedure - review of judgment - errors on the face of record - retrial order versus reevaluation of evidence.
2 July 2025
June 2025
30 June 2025
26 June 2025
26 June 2025
26 June 2025
26 June 2025
26 June 2025
25 June 2025
25 June 2025
19 June 2025
19 June 2025
19 June 2025
19 June 2025
19 June 2025
19 June 2025
19 June 2025
Appellate court found victim’s age and penetration proved, reversed acquittal and convicted respondent of rape with 30-year sentence.
Criminal law – Sexual offences – Statutory rape – Proof of age and penetration – Child of tender age’s evidence may suffice if credible – Medical evidence corroborating penetration – Appellate re-evaluation under s.382(1)(a)(i) Criminal Procedure Act.
17 June 2025
16 June 2025
A notice to rectify a land register that cancels title must give reasons, provide hearing and respect constitutional compensation protections.
Land registration – notice of intention to rectify – substance over form: notice that effects automatic cancellation is a decision; administrative bodies must give reasons; right to be heard (Article 13(6)(a)); constitutional protection of property and requirement for fair and adequate compensation (Article 24).
13 June 2025
Appellate court quashed judgment and ordered retrial where hearsay, contradictions and locus visits tainted the proceeding.
Land disputes — evidence — hearsay inadmissibility under s.62 Evidence Act; burden and standard of proof in civil suits (s.110, balance of probabilities); locus in quo visits — when justified and need for fair procedure; procedural irregularity warranting trial de novo.
12 June 2025
A conditional notice to rectify a land title that imposes a time limit and automatic cancellation is a decision appealable under section 102(1).
Land Registration Act s.102(1) – appealability of notices of intention to rectify – notice amounting to decision where conditional cancellation and time limit imposed; compliance with s.102(1)(a) by filing notice of intention via e‑CMS; constitutional rights may be raised in ordinary High Court proceedings; administrative decisions and duty to give reasons/right to be heard.
12 June 2025