This internship is also available as on-site internships:
On-site internship with an NGO
On-site internship with a law firm

About the Tanzanian legal system

Tanzania operates a mixed legal system that incorporates elements of English Common Law, customary law, and Islamic law. This unique system is rooted in the country’s colonial history, with English Common Law dominating the formal legal landscape, especially in areas such as contract and criminal law. Customary law plays a significant role in rural regions, regulating issues like land ownership, inheritance, and marriage, while Islamic law governs personal matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance for the Muslim population. The judiciary, which includes primary courts, district courts, the High Court, and the Court of Appeal, enforces these laws within a constitutional framework designed to guarantee the separation of powers and uphold fundamental rights. Participating in a remote internship provides a valuable opportunity to delve deeper into this diverse and multifaceted legal system.

Remote internship with an NGO 

A remote internship with an NGO allows you to gain practical experience in providing legal aid to socially disadvantaged groups, including women, children, individuals with disabilities, and other minorities. The focus often lies on addressing issues related to labor law, family law, criminal law, or commercial law. Many marginalized individuals in African societies are denied basic human rights and face discrimination in matters such as property disputes, inheritance, marriage, child support, employment, and gender-based violence. NGOs provide these individuals with free legal advice and representation. Beyond legal assistance, NGOs also engage in public awareness campaigns, including conducting workshops at schools on topics like domestic violence and disseminating information through media platforms such as radio, television, and social media. In addition to these core activities, NGOs are often involved in poverty alleviation, socio-economic development, and researching the level of minority engagement in social and political contexts. 

As part of your internship, you may be tasked with writing reports, drafting legal documents, preparing court materials, creating content for websites and newsletters, managing social media outreach, and supporting fundraising initiatives.

Remote internship with a law firm

If you choose to intern with a law firm, your responsibilities may include preparing and drafting legal documents, analyzing real and hypothetical cases, discussing findings with your internship supervisor, comparing legal systems from different countries, and practicing witness examination techniques. These tasks may cover a range of legal fields, such as criminal law, civil law, family law, commercial law, labor law, and inheritance law. The internship offers valuable insights into real court proceedings, providing opportunities to observe and learn how experienced attorneys prepare for cases and develop strategies, such as those used in criminal defense.

In addition to mainland Tanzanian law firms, internships can also be arranged with law firms in Zanzibar. Interning in Zanzibar may be of particular interest to those keen on exploring topics such as human trafficking and the combination of Sharia law with English Common Law. Human trafficking remains a significant issue, as women from East African countries, including Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Malawi, are trafficked to Arab nations where they are forced to work without documentation or pay, often as domestic workers. These women, treated as illegal immigrants, are stripped of their rights and frequently subjected to violence and abuse. Zanzibar’s legal system also provides a fascinating opportunity to study how Sharia law is blended with English Common Law. English Common Law, which relies on statutes and judicial precedents, contrasts with the Civil Law systems prevalent in continental Europe. This combination allows participants to gain a deeper understanding of the interplay between these distinct legal traditions.

About the remote internship

The remote internship is conducted in English and is highly flexible, allowing you to choose your intensity, ranging from 6 to 40 hours per week. There will be fixed weekly sessions lasting at least two hours, during which you will meet with your supervisor online to receive assignments and feedback on your work. The remaining time is spent working independently, with tasks adapted to your preferred weekly workload.