CJ Masaju’s first year delivers sweeping judicial reforms

DAR ES SALAAM: The administration of justice remains one of the most important pillars of any democratic society. A judiciary must not only be independent and impartial but also efficient, accessible and responsive to the needs of citizens.

Since assuming office on June 15, 2025, Chief Justice of Tanzania, Hon. George Mcheche Masaju, has embarked on an ambitious programme of legal and regulatory reforms aimed at strengthening judicial operations and improving access to justice.

As he marks his first anniversary in office on June 15, 2026, the Judiciary has undergone significant changes through new legislation, regulations and procedural rules targeting long-standing challenges in criminal, civil, probate and electoral matters. The reforms seek to reduce delays, improve transparency, embrace technology and ensure justice is delivered more effectively.

Written by Deputy Registrar and Director of the Library Services Unit, Kifungu Mrisho Kariho, the assessment highlights a year characterized by determined efforts to modernize Tanzania’s justice system.

Strengthening fairness in criminal proceedings

Among the most notable reforms are the Witness Protection Rules, 2025 (GN 430/2025), which establish mechanisms to safeguard witnesses from intimidation and retaliation.

Historically, fear of reprisals has discouraged many witnesses from testifying, weakening criminal prosecutions and undermining justice. The new rules empower courts to conceal witness identities, conduct private hearings, permit testimony through video links and restrict inappropriate cross-examination.

The reforms aim to create a safer environment for witnesses while maintaining the accused person’s constitutional right to a fair trial. Courts are required to balance witness protection with the defence’s right to challenge evidence.

Another major development is the Judicature and Application of Laws (Defense Entitlement to Prosecution Evidence) Rules, 2025 (GN 597/2025).

These rules require prosecutors to disclose witness statements and intended exhibits before preliminary hearings. The objective is to eliminate “trial by ambush,” where defence teams are surprised by previously undisclosed evidence.

By promoting early disclosure, the reforms improve trial preparedness, reduce adjournments and strengthen procedural fairness. Prosecutors must formally declare their evidence, and any later additions require proper justification.

Modernizing civil and probate matters

Significant reforms have also been introduced in probate administration, an area often associated with disputes, delays and allegations of mismanagement.

The Primary Courts Probate Rules (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (GN 428/2025) and Probate Rules (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (GN 429/2025) require estate administrators to open dedicated bank accounts for estate funds.

This measure removes the burden of holding inheritance funds from the courts and enhances accountability.

Administrators must also submit inventories and detailed financial accounts. Expenditures from estate accounts require court authorization, while beneficiaries are granted greater rights to verify financial records and challenge questionable transactions.

The reforms are designed to reduce fraud, prevent misuse of inheritance assets and speed up estate distribution.

Technology has also become a key tool in improving efficiency.

The Judicature and Application of Laws (Electronic Filing) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 (GN 609/2025) ensure that documents submitted electronically are considered filed on the date of upload, even if payment is completed later.

This protects litigants from losing their rights due to delays in fee processing. However, payments must be made within seven days to maintain the validity of the filing.

The amendment balances convenience with accountability while strengthening Tanzania’s growing e-filing system.

Faster resolution of election disputes

Election petitions often attract significant public attention because prolonged disputes can create uncertainty and undermine confidence in democratic processes.

To address this challenge, the Judiciary introduced the Local Government and Parliamentary Election Petition Rules (GN 433/2025 and GN 431/2025).

The rules clearly define who may file petitions, establish procedural requirements and set strict timelines for handling disputes.

By limiting unnecessary delays and procedural battles, the reforms ensure that election-related cases are resolved quickly and on merit.

This allows elected leaders to assume office without prolonged uncertainty while preserving the integrity of electoral outcomes.

Enhancing institutional strength and consistency

Another major reform is the Judicature and Application of Laws (Panel Constitution) Rules, 2025 (GN 541/2025).

The rules authorize the Chief Justice to direct that complex constitutional, legal or public-interest matters be heard by panels of judges rather than a single judge.

Panel hearings bring diverse judicial perspectives, strengthen legal reasoning and promote consistency in landmark decisions.

The rules also provide mechanisms to ensure proceedings continue even if a member of the panel becomes unable to participate due to illness or other circumstances.

At the institutional level, the Judiciary Administration (Judiciary Flag) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (GN 608/2025) introduced a modernized Judiciary flag and emblem.

While largely symbolic, the reform reinforces the Judiciary’s constitutional position as one of the three pillars of the State alongside the Executive and Legislature.

The updated insignia incorporates national symbols including the national flag, scales of justice and national shield, emphasizing judicial independence and authority.

Improving justice at the grassroots

One of the most impactful reforms for ordinary citizens came through the Magistrates’ Courts (Rules of Evidence in Primary Courts) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (GN 143/2026).

Primary Courts handle approximately 78 percent of all cases in Tanzania, making them the first point of contact with the justice system for most citizens.

The amendments simplify evidentiary requirements and recognize electronic and digital evidence within local contexts.

By reducing technical barriers and simplifying procedures, the reforms improve access to affordable and timely justice for communities across the country.

Bringing the High Court closer to citizens

Access to justice is not only about laws and procedures. It also depends on physical accessibility.

Recognizing this reality, the Judiciary established five new High Court Sub-Registries through Government Notices Nos. 75 to 79 and 81 of 2026.

The new sub-registries are located in Katavi, Lindi, Njombe, Singida and Songwe.

Previously, residents of some regions had to travel long distances to access High Court services, often incurring significant transportation and accommodation costs.

The new facilities decentralize judicial services, reduce expenses for litigants and lawyers and ease pressure on existing registries.

The move also advances the constitutional principle of equal access to justice by bringing court services closer to the people.

Promoting alternative dispute resolution

The reform agenda continued into 2026 with significant changes to civil procedure and alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

Amendments to the Civil Procedure Code encourage mediation and settlement before cases proceed to full trial.

Importantly, time spent in good-faith mediation is excluded from limitation periods, allowing parties to negotiate freely without risking their legal rights.

The reforms also introduce mandatory pre-trial conferences within seven days after pleadings close. Judges and magistrates are required to actively encourage mediation and establish clear schedules if disputes proceed to trial.

The objective is simple: resolve cases faster and reduce unnecessary litigation.

Supporting these efforts are the Civil Procedure (Appointment, Remuneration and Discipline of Mediators) Regulations, 2026.

These regulations professionalize mediation by establishing standards for mediator appointment, compensation and ethical conduct.

At the same time, the Labor Institutions (Code of Conduct for Private Representatives) Rules, 2026 strengthen accountability among non-lawyer representatives appearing in labour disputes.

The reforms protect workers and employers alike by promoting professionalism and ethical conduct.

Reducing technical barriers to justice

Another important milestone is the Civil Procedure Code (Amendment) Act, 2026.

Traditionally, minor procedural errors could result in cases being dismissed before substantive issues were heard.

The amendment shifts focus from technicalities to the merits of disputes, reinforcing constitutional principles that justice should not be denied because of procedural mistakes.

The reform reflects a broader judicial philosophy emphasizing substantive justice over rigid technical compliance.

A transformative first year

The 2025/2026 judicial year represents one of the most active periods of legal and regulatory reform in recent history.

From witness protection and electronic filing to probate accountability, election petition management, mediation frameworks and the expansion of High Court services, the reforms collectively address longstanding bottlenecks within Tanzania’s justice system.

They also strengthen transparency, improve efficiency and reinforce constitutional guarantees of access to justice.

Perhaps most importantly, the reforms signal a Judiciary increasingly focused on serving citizens through modern, practical and responsive legal processes.

Under the leadership of Chief Justice George Mcheche Masaju, Tanzania’s judicial system has taken significant steps toward becoming faster, more accessible and more accountable.

As the Judiciary enters its next chapter, the reforms introduced during this first year provide a strong foundation for strengthening public confidence in the rule of law and ensuring that justice remains accessible to all Tanzanians.