Legal Resources &
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Company registration at BRELA (Business Registrations and Licensing Agency) typically takes 3–5 working days if all documents are in order. The process involves name reservation, submission of constitutional documents, and payment of registration fees. If you are registering online through the BRELA e-portal, the process is often faster. However, additional licences required to operate your specific business (e.g. sector-specific permits, TRA registration, OSHA) will take additional time. Our corporate team can manage the full registration process on your behalf.

Under the Land Act (Cap. 113), only Tanzanian citizens can hold a right of occupancy over land directly. Foreigners and foreign companies can, however, hold derivative rights (such as leaseholds) and can occupy land through a joint venture with a local entity or through a company that has been designated as an investor by the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC). Land held for investment purposes is managed through TIC and is subject to specific conditions regarding the nature and timeline of the investment. Our conveyancing team can structure the most appropriate and legally secure land-holding arrangement for your situation.

Under the Employment and Labour Relations Act 2004 (ELRA), every employee has the right to be dismissed only for a valid and fair reason, following a fair procedure. If you believe you have been unfairly dismissed, you must file a complaint with the Commission for Mediation and Arbitration (CMA) within 30 days of the termination. If mediation fails, the CMA will arbitrate the matter. Remedies for unfair dismissal include reinstatement or compensation (up to 12 months' salary for unfair dismissal). Our labour team provides urgent representation in CMA proceedings. Important: the 30-day time limit is strict — do not delay.

Tanzania applies the principle of "just and equitable division" of matrimonial property on divorce, as established in the Law of Marriage Act (Cap. 29). The court considers each spouse's financial and non-financial contributions to the marriage (including homemaking and childcare). Unlike some jurisdictions, Tanzania does not have a strict 50/50 presumption — contributions are assessed individually. Courts have increasingly recognised non-monetary contributions, particularly in cases where one spouse was the primary caregiver. A prenuptial agreement, if validly made, may also influence how property is divided. Seek advice from an advocate who practises in matrimonial matters; Royal Attorneys’ core listings appear on our practice areas page.

While Tanzanian law does not technically require a lawyer for property transactions, it is strongly advisable — and in practice, banks and financial institutions will insist on legal representation. A conveyancing advocate will: conduct title searches at the Lands Registry, verify the seller's right to sell, prepare and review the sale agreement, ensure stamp duty is correctly assessed and paid, facilitate the transfer of title at the Ministry of Lands, and check for any encumbrances, caveats, or disputes affecting the property. Given that land fraud is unfortunately common in Tanzania, proceeding without legal representation carries significant financial risk.

Tanzania sets sector-specific minimum wages through Wage Orders issued by the Labour Commissioner. The rates vary significantly between sectors — for example, the minimum wage for domestic workers is lower than that for mining or financial sector workers. Wage Orders are reviewed periodically. As of 2024, the general minimum wage for private sector employees outside of regulated sectors is TZS 400,000 per month, though many sectors have higher mandatory minimums. Employers in the formal sector are legally required to comply with the applicable Wage Order for their industry. Non-compliance can result in penalties and back-pay claims at the CMA.

Tanzania is a party to the Reciprocal Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act (Cap. 8), which allows judgments from designated countries (including the UK, Kenya, Uganda, and others) to be registered and enforced in Tanzania without a fresh trial. For non-designated countries, a fresh action based on the foreign judgment must be brought in the High Court of Tanzania. In either case, you will need to apply to the High Court, and the process typically takes 3–6 months. For foreign arbitral awards, Tanzania is a signatory to the New York Convention and enforcement of Convention awards is generally available through the High Court. Contact our litigation team for specific advice.

Our fees vary depending on the nature and complexity of the matter. We offer several fee structures: hourly rates for advisory work, fixed fees for defined scope matters (such as will drafting, company registration, or standard conveyancing), and retainer arrangements for clients who require ongoing legal support. We provide transparent, written fee agreements before commencing any work. We do not charge for an initial consultation of up to 30 minutes for new clients. We believe quality legal services should be accessible — please contact us to discuss your matter and receive a personalised fee estimate.