The Attorney General of Tanzania, Hamza S. Johari, has officially handed over the 2023 Edition of the Revised Laws of Tanzania to the Chief Justice, Prof. George M. Masaju, marking a significant step forward in improving access to justice and strengthening the rule of law in the country.
The handover ceremony, held on July 3, 2025, at the Chief Justice's office in Dodoma, follows the directive by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who officially signed and declared the revised laws operational as of July 1, 2025.
Speaking at the event, the Attorney General emphasized the importance of the revised laws in streamlining legal interpretation and judicial processes across all levels of the legal system.
“We are here today to formally present to you, Chief Justice, these updated law volumes following the successful completion of the revision project and the President’s directive that they take effect this month,” said Mr. Johari.
“This will support the Judiciary in delivering justice more effectively to Tanzanian citizens.”he added
The Attorney General further highlighted that, for the first time, the entire law revision project was completed using domestic financial and human resources, without relying on donor support a move that demonstrates the government’s growing capacity and commitment to self-reliance in legal sector reforms.
“This project has been proudly executed using internal resources, including local publishers. From now on, we will no longer wait ten years to issue updates. Annual supplements will be published consistently, ensuring laws remain current and relevant,” he added.
Receiving the volumes, Chief Justice Prof. Masaju expressed gratitude to the Attorney General’s Office for its collaboration and acknowledged the Judiciary's critical role as one of the largest users of statutory laws.
“The Judiciary is one of the biggest consumers of these legal texts, as most disputes in society are ultimately resolved in court. These revised volumes will be instrumental in guiding our judgments and interpretations,” said the Chief Justice.
He also applauded the government’s efforts to digitize the law volumes and offer them free of charge online, saying it promotes inclusivity and ensures citizens, legal practitioners, and researchers have easier access to the country’s legal framework.
The Chief Parliamentary Draftsman, Mr. Onorius Njole, praised the Chief Justice for his long-standing contribution to the legal reform process, noting that the handover included 20 volumes containing 446 principal laws of the land.
“We’ve also implemented the President’s directive to ensure these laws are accessible. They are now available online through the OAG Management Information System (OAG-MIS) and in print through local publisher Mkuki na Nyota,” he said.
The revised laws are expected to improve legal clarity, reduce conflicting interpretations, and enhance public trust in the legal system.
Legal experts say the new edition will also support lawyers, judges, public institutions, and ordinary citizens in understanding their rights and obligations more clearly.
This milestone is part of broader efforts by the sixth-phase government, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, to deepen legal reforms, enhance transparency, and promote justice for all.