1. JUDICIAL REFORMS IN TANZANIA: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
January, 2016
HON. M. C. OTHMAN, C.J.

2. INDEPENDENCE OF JUDICIARY
The fact that judges are appointed by the President has not led to a compromise in their independence from the Executive. This is partly due to the stringent screening that is done to ensure that a person has the necessary qualifications and integrity before being appointed judge.
Those who have served as judges over the past three to four decades have, by and large, managed to project a judiciary keen to maintain and preserve its independence.
The judiciary has adequate independence, but remains weak in delivery of justice for other reasons.
SOURCE: AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM (APRM): Tanzania Country Self Assessment Report (2011)

3. JUDICIAL CASE LOAD TANZANIA (CASES DISPOSED: 2015)
COURT
NO. OF CASE
PERCENTAGE (%)
Court of Appeal
943
0.34%
High Court
17,743
6.46%
Resident Magistrates’ Court
17,027
6.20%
District Courts
34.477
12.57%
Primary Courts
204,073
74.40%
Total
274,263
99.97%

4. JUDICIAL REFORM: INTEGRATED APPROACH
PARNERSHIPS & COOPERATION: LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES+ STAKEHOLDER
ORGANIZATION, CHANGE MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
PUBLIC INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION/ MEDIA RELATION
CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
CORE FUNCTION: JUSTICE DELIVERY
HUMAN RESOURCES MG & CAPACITY BUILDING IJA (CLE)
ICT
COURT PROCESSES IMPROVEMENT
PROCEDURES & POLICIES
FINANCIAL/
BUDGETARY RESOURCES
COURT INFRASTRUCTURE

5. TANZANIA JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATION ACT, NO.4 OF 2011
Establishment of Judiciary service.
Separation of functions (Court Administrators and Registrars).
Establishment of Judiciary Fund.
Appointment and discipline of Non-judicial staff.
Performance Evaluation System.
Judicial Ethics and Conduct.
Judicial Service Commission.

6. INSTITUTIONAL AND INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE Maximum life span of cases
TANZANIA
INSTITUTIONAL AND INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE
TABLE 1
Maximum life span of cases
Court of Appeal
2 years
High Court
Resident Magistrate’s Court
18 months
District Courts
Primary Courts
12 months

7. TABLE II Performance benchmarks 220 cases per year / Judge
(Quantitative)
250 cases per year /Resident Magistrate (RM/DC)
260 cases per year (RM/PCM)
(Qualitative)
Revisional powers
Judicial inspection and supervision
Appellate oversight/scrutiny

8. TANZANIA JUDICIARY STRATEGIC PLAN 2015 – 2020
VISION: Timely, Quality and Accessible Justice for All.
MISSION: Administer justice to all though the provision of quality, fair, transparent and impartial decisions.
Three strategic pillars
Governance, Management of resources and accountability.
Access to justice and expeditiousness of justice delivery.
Public trust and stakeholders engagement.

9. TANZANIA JUDICIARY LED MODERNIZATION AND REFORM IS CENTRED ON
Identification of deficiency in service delivery.
Judiciary administration and organization.
Enhancing case clearance and disposal capacity.
Tackling case backlog.
Performance benchmarks (quantitative and qualitative)
Enhanced judicial supervision and inspection of subordinate courts.
ICT and e-platforms for case management and court business processes.
Developing and improving Court Infrastructure and accessibility.

10. Enhancing human resource capacity, competence and professionalism (IJA).
Increased public awareness of Court procedures and processes.
Global learning and bench marking with other jurisdictions.
Citizen complaints and response mechanisms.
Keeping pace with other government pillars.
Alighnment with social economic development (vision 2025) priorities.

11. THANK YOU