Public Interest Litigation

The Litigation unit addresses laws and practices that constrain civic space, promote impunity, violate the Constitution and fundamental freedoms by instituting and following up on these cases before the high court of Zanzibar and High Court of Tanzania as well regional courts. The litigation covers a broad spectrum of rights, subject to determination of relevance, laws, acts and omissions that amount to violation of key rights and freedoms as provided for in the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania and international instruments to which Tanzania is a party.

Research

The Research and Knowledge Department leads on the production of the civic space monitor, rule of law survey and political economy analysis published in every alternate year. As per CSL’s five year strategic plan (2019 to 2023), the work of the Research and Knowledge Department is inclined towards the enhancement of knowledge, evidence and analysis on public interest litigation, rule of law and constitutionalism in Tanzania

Training

The East Africa Emerging Public Interest Advocates Programme for young legal professionals is a flagship fellowship programme by the Center for Strategic Litigation (CSL), currently in partnership with 19 other East African organisations including The East African Court of Justice which is a regional organisation; Katiba Institute, Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), and Kituo cha Sheria from Kenya; Center for Food and Adequate Living Rights (CEFROHT), Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER), and The Network of Public Interest Lawyers (NETPIL) from Uganda; and the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) from Tanzania. The programme empowers young advocates through rigorous skills-based training and practical experience in public interest litigation. The goal of the programme is to build the next generation of public interest advocates in East Africa who share a commitment to and passion for promoting social justice and democratic values. This comes from the realisation that there is a limited number of active public interest litigants as most lawyers prefer careers in private and other fields of law. The fellowship provides up to 30 outstanding young advocates from Kenya, Tanzania (mainland), Tanzania (Zanzibar) and Uganda. A 10% special quota is provided for young lawyers from Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan who meet the requirements for attending the program. Through a tailored approach, the training provides fellows with an opportunity to learn from public interest litigation and advocacy academics and practitioners, both in class and in court for six (6) months under the following carefully designed curriculum:

• Residential Training
• Practicum
• Closing Seminars