Zanzibar

BACKGROUND Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania and, although it is integrated into Tanzania’s governmental and party structure, has its own president, court system, and legislature. Court system: The Zanzibar legal systems are based on British common law and also recognize customary and Islamic law in civil cases. In criminal matters both Christians and Muslims are governed by statutory or common law. A Judicial Service Commission, chaired by the chief justice of the Court of Appeal, appoints all judges except those for the Court of Appeal and the high courts, who are appointed by the president. All courts, including Islamic courts in Zanzibar, are staffed by civil servants.