On 13 July 2026, Erick Mukiza, Executive Director of ESS Creative and Legal Foundation and an Accredited Mediator, led and facilitated an awareness mediation workshop for ADR stakeholders starting with the private advocates at Ubungo District Court in Dar es Salaam. The initiative was conducted in collaboration with the Judiciary of Tanzania and he was introduced to the advocates by the Magistrate in Charge, Hon. Tumsifu Barnabas.
Drawing from his practical mediation experience, Erick explained that many disputes remain unresolved not because parties reject mediation, but because advocates participating in mediation do not always encourage their clients to engage fully in the process. He noted that this is one of the practical challenges affecting mediation outside the court under Section 13 of the Civil Procedure Code, Cap. 33 R.E. 2023.
He emphasized that this practice weakens the purpose of Section 13, which encourages parties to make genuine efforts to resolve disputes before litigation. It also discourages parties who are willing to pursue amicable settlement, resulting in avoidable court cases, increased case backlog, and higher costs and delays for everyone involved.
As a practical solution, Erick proposed capacity building for private advocates on their role during private mediation and appropriate fee structures for representation in mediation proceedings. Strengthening collaboration between advocates and accredited private mediators will improve access to timely justice and increase the effective use of mediation.
The workshop also addressed a common challenge faced by private advocates by providing guidance on where and how to access recognised mediation services in Tanzania.
Magistrate in Charge, Hon. Tumsifu Barnabas introducing Erick Mukiza, Executive Director of ESS Creative and Legal Foundation and an Accredited Mediator to private advocates at Ubungo District Court in Dar es Salaam during the mediation workshop
