The chief justice of Tanzania is the highest post in the judicial system of Tanzania. The chief justice is appointed by the president and presides over the Court of Appeal of Tanzania.[1]
After the First World War, the former German-governed colony Tanganyika was put under British authority in the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.[2] A year later, a High Court was established by an Order in Council and the post of the chief justice was formed.[3] Tanganyika became independent in 1961 and after a year was transformed into a republic.
In 1964 it merged with Zanzibar into the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, which later in that year was renamed to United Republic of Tanzania.[4] Despite the unification both parts of the new state retained their formed judicial system. The Court of Appeal for Tanzania, which has law jurisdiction over the entire state, was inaugurated in 1979.[5]