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
July 2024
22 July 2024
22 July 2024
22 July 2024
18 July 2024
18 July 2024
8 July 2024
June 2024
28 June 2024
28 June 2024
14 June 2024
Applicant’s inconsistent, uncorroborated reasons failed to show good cause for extension of time to lodge an appeal.
Criminal procedure – extension of time to lodge appeal – requirement to show good cause – applicant must give detailed, consistent reasons and account for each day of delay – allegations involving third parties or eCMS require corroborating affidavits – uncorroborated, inconsistent explanations defeat condonation.
14 June 2024
13 June 2024
13 June 2024
12 June 2024
12 June 2024
May 2024
Application to correct 2014 proceedings wrongly filed; errors apparent on record require review, not clerical rectification.
Civil procedure — rectification of clerical errors — appropriate remedy for errors apparent on the face of the record — review application vs clerical rectification — ex parte judgment — competence of application under section 96 CPC.
31 May 2024
Failure to join the village government did not vitiate the tribunal’s jurisdiction; tribunal properly evaluated evidence, appeal dismissed.
Civil procedure – necessary parties – local/village government not a necessary party absent allocation by Land Commissioner or existence of title deed/right of occupancy;* Land law – proof of ownership – evidence and witness corroboration can support declaration of ownership absent documentary title;* Jurisdiction – failure to join non-necessary party does not oust Tribunal’s jurisdiction;* Pleadings – tribunal entitled to decide upon evidence consistent with pleaded case.
24 May 2024
Self-defence unavailable where appellant used excessive, effectively premeditated force; appeal against grievous harm conviction dismissed.
Criminal law – grievous harm: proof of injury and unlawfulness; self-defence – requires reasonable and proportionate force; excessive or premeditated use of a weapon negates self-defence; first appellate court duty to re-evaluate evidence; intoxication must be proved and properly pleaded.
16 May 2024
7 May 2024
2 May 2024
April 2024
29 April 2024
29 April 2024
25 April 2024
25 April 2024
24 April 2024
Non‑joinder of village authority and prior transferees was not fatal; respondent may use counterclaim or third‑party procedure.
Land law — Joinder of necessary parties — Non‑joinder not automatically fatal — Documentary sale agreements are evidentiary, not automatic grounds for joinder — Counterclaim/third‑party procedure as remedy.
24 April 2024
22 April 2024
18 April 2024
16 April 2024
16 April 2024
15 April 2024
A statutory amendment abolishing leave for civil appeals rendered the applicant's High Court leave application redundant and struck out.
Appellate procedure – Appellate Jurisdiction Act s.5 amended by Legal Sector Laws (Misc. Amendments) Act No.11/2023 – removal of leave requirement for civil appeals to Court of Appeal; Procedural amendment – retrospective application; Jurisdiction – High Court cannot grant leave once leave abolished; time‑bar and notice issues to be determined by Court of Appeal; Pending leave applications overtaken by statute – strike out; No costs awarded.
15 April 2024
15 April 2024
12 April 2024
5 April 2024
March 2024
A widow has locus standi to seek revocation of letters of administration; an omnibus objection is premature and dismissed.
Probate — Locus standi — Widow’s right to inherit and to apply for revocation of letters of administration; Omnibus applications — multiple related prayers not automatically bad in law; premature preliminary objections — omnibus objection to be determined after hearing main application.
26 March 2024
22 March 2024
22 March 2024
21 March 2024
21 March 2024
14 March 2024
14 March 2024
13 March 2024
11 March 2024
7 March 2024
7 March 2024
February 2024
29 February 2024
23 February 2024
20 February 2024
15 February 2024
15 February 2024