Schedule of responsibilities and the assignment of files at Civil Courts in Tanzania

• Main Author: Magdalena Sylister
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG 2016-11-01
• Series: KAS African Law Study Library
• Online Access: https://www.nomos-elibrary.de/10.5771/2363-6262-2016-3-323

This paper has looked at salient features of schedules of responsibilities of judicial officers in Tanzania and how assignment of files to those officers takes place. In doing that, the paper has focused on civil courts only so as to explore the topic in details. The main aim is to highlight current problems associated with those aspects. In view of that, the paper has relied on recent literature largely from Tanzania such as books, journal articles, reports, and website materials. This work begins with an overview of the Tanzanian judicial structure for civil matters, followed by a highlight of factors determining schedule of responsibilities and the assignment of files in civil courts in Tanzania. Five major factors have been discussed, namely, legal requirements, size of the workload, size of the workforce, political factors and expertise. In the course of that discussion, the paper has identified and analysed current problems facing schedules of responsibilities and assignment of files in Tanzanian civil courts. Lastly, this paper has recommended viable measures for addressing those problems so as to improve effectiveness and independence of the Tanzanian judiciary.