Tanzania takes historic step in legal aid provision

Dar es Salaam. The first graduation ceremony for paralegals at the Law School of Tanzania (LST) on March 27, 2024, marked a significant stride in the country’s legal landscape, it has been said. 

The minister of Constitution and Legal Affairs, Ambassador Pindi Chana, while gracing the colourful event, underscored the transformative impact of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership in ushering in comprehensive legal reforms.

“For the first time, we are witnessing graduates at the certificate level who will provide significant assistance to many Tanzanians who have been struggling with legal issues without support,” Ambassador Chana affirmed.

Paralegals, though not licenced lawyers, play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between legal expertise and the common citizen.

They provide crucial assistance to individuals navigating legal complexities, particularly in accessing their rights and resolving disputes through legal means.

The graduation of this inaugural cohort of paralegals represented a pivotal moment in Tanzania’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring access to justice for all citizens.

With a population exceeding 60 million, Ambassador Chana noted that the demand for legal professionals capable of addressing diverse legal challenges was more pronounced than ever.

Ms Chana emphasised the necessity for all Tanzanians encountering legal hurdles to seek guidance from qualified professionals.

She stressed the importance of leveraging the expertise of paralegals, highlighting their role as essential conduits for legal aid dissemination and conflict resolution.

The enactment of the Legal Aid Act of 2017 laid the groundwork for the formal recognition and regulation of paralegals in Tanzania.

This legislative milestone mandated that individuals providing legal aid undergo rigorous training and obtain professional certification, ensuring the delivery of competent and standardised legal assistance.

“We now need to establish a database of qualified paralegals in the country to ensure the continuation of their work with efficiency and proper coordination,” she remarked.

She called upon all government agencies and institutions to actively support the integration of paralegals into the legal framework, thereby bolstering access to justice nationwide.

The acting principal of the LST, Prof Sist Mramba, hailed the institution’s pioneering efforts in providing specialised training for paralegals. He stressed that the graduation ceremony marked the realisation of President Hassan’s vision of empowering Tanzanians with legal assistance.

“The graduates of the Certificate in Legal Aid Assistance programme (a Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) level 4) deserve congratulations for their dedication and achievement,” Prof Mramba stated proudly.

The acting chairperson of the institute’s board of directors, Prof Hamudi Majamba, echoed the sentiment of progress, noting the long-awaited establishment of a regulatory framework for paralegals.

He emphasised the transformative potential of education in nurturing competent legal aid providers and urged aspiring paralegals to seize the opportunity for professional growth.

The commencement of classes for the first cohort in September 2022 symbolised a new era of legal empowerment in Tanzania, he said.

“Equipped with comprehensive training in legal aid assistance, these graduates are poised to make tangible contributions to broadening access to justice and advancing the ‘Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign.”

In essence, the graduation of the first cohort of paralegals represents a monumental step forward in Tanzania’s commitment to ensuring that legal aid is not just a privilege but a fundamental right accessible to all citizens, according to a legal expert, Dr Mussa Taabu.

“As these newly minted professionals embark on their journey to serve their communities, their efforts will resonate as a testament to the transformative power of legal education and advocacy. We really needed this as a fraternity,” he noted.