Zakaria Maseke
Member
- Apr 26, 2022
- 64
- 99
Can State Attorneys and lawyers in the public service be Enrolled in the Roll of Advocates and Practise as an Advocate or as a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths?
Je, Mawakili wa Serikali au Wanasheria walio katika utumishi wa umma wanaruhusiwa kusajiliwa na kuingizwa katika Daftari la Mawakili wa Kujitegemea na kufanya kazi za Uwakili binafsi au kamishina wa viapo?
Imeandaliwa na Kuletwa kwako nami, Zakaria - Advocate candidate.
MAANA YA WAKILI WA SERIKALI (STATE ATTORNEY)
Mawakili wa Serikali inajumuisha Wanasheria wote WANAOTOA HUDUMA ZA KISHERIA katika Utumishi wa umma.
Kwa mujibu wa Amri ya Mabadiliko ya Muundo wa Ofisi ya Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali (The Office of the Attorney General (Re-structure) Order, G.N. No. 48, 2018) na Sheria ya Utekelezaji wa Majukumu ya Ofisi ya Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali (The Office of the Attorney General (Discharge of Duties) Act [CAP. 268 R.E. 2019], wanasheria wote walio katika Utumishi wa Umma ni Mawakilli wa Serikali.
Hawa ni wanasheria ambao WANATEKELEZA MAJUKUMU YA OFISI YA MWANASHERIA MKUU wa Serikali katika Wizara, Mamlaka za Serikali za Mitaa, Mashirika ya Umma, Idara zinazojitegemea au Taasisi za Serikali.
(Zingatia: Hii inawahusu wale tu WANAOTOA HUDUMA ZA KISHERIA (LEGAL SERVICES) katika taasisi hizo. Lakini haiwahusu wale ambao ni wanasheria, lakini hawatoi huduma za kisheria, kwa mfano LECTURERS (wahadhiri wa sheria) katika taasisi za Umma.)
Je, wanaruhusiwa kuapishwa na kufanya kazi za Uwakili wa kujitegemea?
Generally, sheria haiwazuii wanasheria walio katika utumishi wa umma kuapishwa kuwa Mawakili wa kujitegemea ili kulinda Seniority yao. Inachozuia ni kutoa leseni ya kuwaruhusu kufanya kazi za Mawakili binafsi.
Kwa hiyo, wanasheria walio katika utumishi wa umma wanaruhusiwa kuandikishwa kwenye Roll of Advocates, lakini hatua hiyo haiwapi haki ya kufanya kazi za Uwakili wa kujitegemea wakiwa bado katika utumishi wa umma.
Ukisoma Kanuni ya 8 ya Kanuni za Utekelezaji wa Majukumu ya Ofisi ya Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali, 2006 (The Office of the Attorney General (Discharge of Duties), Regulations, 2006) inasema;
“The Law Officer, a State Attorney or a Legal Officer shall not become a practicing advocate and a Law Officer, a State Attorney or a Legal Officer who accepts a court brief on a matter in which the Government is concerned or is adversely or may be adversely affected shall be deemed to be engaged in a matter that adversely affect the public confidence and jeopardize the credit and integrity of the legal profession and the public service.”
Kanuni ya 6(3) inasema Wakili wa Serikali ana haki ya kunufaika na haki wanazofanya Mawakili wa Kujitegemea ISIPOKUWA KUPOKEA ADA YA UWAKILI kwa namna inavyokatazwa katika Sheria hiyo pamoja na Kanuni zinazosimamia Utumishi wa Umma.
“It shall be the right of a Law Officer, State Attorney and a Legal Officer to enjoy the privileges attached to advocates save for charging and receiving reward in a form of fees and fo the extent prohibited or restricted by the Act and laws governing employment in the public service.”
Katazo hili lipo pia kwenye kifungu cha 17A(1) cha Sheria ya Utekelezaji wa Majukumu ya Ofisi ya Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali (The Office of the Attorney General (Discharge of Duties) Act [CAP. 268 R.E. 2019].
Kifungu hicho kinasema hivi; “A Law Officer or State Attorney shall not, for the whole period of service as a Law Officer or State Attorney, practise as an advocate.”
Hata hivyo chini ya Kifungu cha 17A(3) cha Sheria hiyo hiyo, Mwanasheria Mkuu, kwa kuombwa na Wakili wa Serikali au yeye mwenyewe akiona inafaa, ana mamlaka ya kumsamehe Wakili wa Serikali kwa kumuondolea hicho kizuizi
Kifungu kinasema, “Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Attorney General may, upon application by a Law Officer or State Attorney or, where in his opinion he considers it necessary, exempt a Law Officer or State Attorney from the application of the provisions of subsection (1).”
Tofauti na hapo, ni kinyume cha sheria, Kanuni na taratibu, kwa wanasheria walio katika utumishi wa Umma kufanya kazi za Wakili binafsi. Na Ofisi ya Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali ilishatoa ufafanuzi na maelekezo kuhusu hilo jambo.
JE, KAMA WAKILI WA SERIKALI AMESTAAFU AU KUACHA KAZI?
Hata Wakili wa Serikali akiistaafu au kuacha kazi za Serikali, haruhusiwi kufanya kazi za ya kumwakilisha mteja au kuwa msuluhishi (mediator/arbitrator} katika jambo lolote alilolifanyia kazi wakati akiwa Wakili wa Serikali.
Kuna kesi ya BARAKA OWAWA Vs TANZANIA TEACHERS’ UNION, Miscellaneous Labour Application no. 6 of 2020, ambapo Wakili (Mr Goodluck Raphael Lukandiza) aliyesaini Nyaraka za Baraka Owawa (hati ya kiapo au affidavit) hakuwa na leseni ya Uwakili. Na mfumo wa kuwatambua Mawakili ukawa unaonesha kwamba haruhusiwi kwa sababu haja renew (kuhuisha) leseni.
Baadaye Wakili wa Baraka Owawa, akaiambia Mahakama kwamba, Mr Lukandiza hakuwa Wakili wa kujitegemea bali alikuwa Wakili wa Serikali (a law officer or a state attorney) aliyeajiriwa na Halmashauri ya Musoma mjini. Hivyo alikuwa ana mamlaka ya kusaini nyaraka chini ya kifungu cha 17A(3) cha Sheria ya Utekelezaji wa Majukumu ya Ofisi ya Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali (The Office of the Attorney General (Discharge of Duties) Act [CAP. 268 RE 2002].
Akasema kwamba, kwa mujibu wa kifungu hicho, Mawakili wa Serikali (law officers and state attorneys) wana mamlaka ya kufanya kazi za Uwakili kwa kuzingatia mwongozo (guidelines) uliotolewa na Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali.
Kifungu kinasema, “Without prejudice to subsection (2), a Law Officer or State Attorney may, subject to the guidelines prescribed by the Attorney General, administer oaths or attest documents as a commissioner for oaths or as a notary public; Provided that such attestation or administration shall not have potential conflict of interest with his employer.”
Lakini hapo hapo, akaiambia Mahakama kwamba, Ofisi ya Mwanasheria Mkuu ilikuwa bado haijatoa mwongozo huo (guidelines) kama inavyotakiwa chini ya kifungu cha 17A(4).
Na kweli wakati huo mwongozo (guidelines) ulikuwa haujatolewa.
Leo napoandika Makala hii, mwongozo umeshatolewa, unaitwa “The Office of the Attorney General (Discharge of Duties) Guidelines for Practising State Attorneys and Law Officers, 2020, GN. NO. 1008.”
Paragraph ya 4(1) ya mwongozo huo inakataza Wakili wa serikali asipewe leseni ya kufanya Uwakili wa kujitegemea kwa kipindi chote ambacho atakuwa ni Wakili wa Serikali.
Nanukuu, “Subject to section 34 of the Advocates Act, a Law Officer or State Attorney shall not, for the whole period of service as a Law Officer or State Attorney, be issued with practising certificate as an advocate.”
Sub Paragraph ya pili, inamruhusu Mwanasheria Mkuu kutoa kibali kwa Wakili wa Serikali kupewa leseni ya Kufanya Uwakili binafsi, kama kuna sababu maalum.
Nanukuu, “Notwithstanding the prohibition under subparagraph (1), the Attorney General may, where special reasons exist, grant permission for a Law Officer or State Attorney to be issued with practising certificate as an advocate.”
Sub paragraph ya 3 imetaja baadhi ya sababu maalum (special reasons).
Sub paragraph 4 ya mwongozo inamruhusu Wakili wa Serikali anayetaka leseni ya kufanya kazi ya Uwakili wa kujitegemea kutuma maombi kwa Mwanasheria Mkuu kwa kujaza fomu maalum
Nanukuu: “A Law Officer or State Attorney who wishes to be issued with a practising certificate shall apply to the Attorney General for permission by filling the application form set out in the First Schedule to these Guidelines.”
Kuhusu kesi ya Baraka Owawa (ukitaka kujua kilichoendelea utasoma kwa muda wako). Lakini kiufupi Mahakama ilikataa kile kiapo (affidavit) kwa sababu kilisainiwa na Wakili asiye na vigezo (Unqualified Person) na kesi nzima ikatupiliwa mbali.
Mahakama ikasema, “whatever documents prepared endorsed or work done by an unqualified person does not have legal value in courts. The reasons are not far to find, first such work is a result of criminality and deceit, secondly the work or document lacks legality.”
Hata ukisoma mwongozo - The Office of the Attorney General (Discharge of Duties) Guidelines for Practising State Attorneys and Law Officers, 2020, GN. NO. 1008, hiki kitu kimewekwa.
Paragraph 6(1) inasema, “Any action, suit, cause, matter or proceeding involving the Government in relation to which an unqualified person so acts shall be invalid.”
-----MWISHO----
Angalizo: Position au maelezo haya ni kwa mujibu wa kesi na sheria zilizokuwa zinatumika mpaka siku ya kupost hili andiko. Hivyo unaposoma leo haya maelezo, soma kesi na sheria zilizopo sasa hivi, ili ujue utaratibu bado ni ule ule au la! Sheria zinarekebishwa na mpya zinatungwa kila siku.
Disclaimer: Lengo la hii makala ni kutoa elimu kwa jamii. Huu sio ushauri wa kisheria kwa mtu yeyote. Ikiwa utaamua kufungua kesi kwa kufata haya maelezo na ukapata hasara, mwandishi wa maelezo haya hatawajibika kwa vyovyote vile. Kama unahitaji ushauri wa kisheria wasiliana na Mawakili.
Pia natoa angalizo, wale wazee wa kukopi machapisho ya watu na kuweka majina yenu. Ni kosa kisheria. Hatua kali zitachukuliwa kwa yeyote atakayejimilikisha andiko hili. Unaruhusiwa tu kushare lakini usibadili yaliyomo. Ni heri uanze kuandika ya kwako mpya.
Makala hii imeandaliwa na kuletwa kwako nami Zakaria (0754575246 WhatsApp).
Je, Mawakili wa Serikali au Wanasheria walio katika utumishi wa umma wanaruhusiwa kusajiliwa na kuingizwa katika Daftari la Mawakili wa Kujitegemea na kufanya kazi za Uwakili binafsi au kamishina wa viapo?
Imeandaliwa na Kuletwa kwako nami, Zakaria - Advocate candidate.
MAANA YA WAKILI WA SERIKALI (STATE ATTORNEY)
Mawakili wa Serikali inajumuisha Wanasheria wote WANAOTOA HUDUMA ZA KISHERIA katika Utumishi wa umma.
Kwa mujibu wa Amri ya Mabadiliko ya Muundo wa Ofisi ya Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali (The Office of the Attorney General (Re-structure) Order, G.N. No. 48, 2018) na Sheria ya Utekelezaji wa Majukumu ya Ofisi ya Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali (The Office of the Attorney General (Discharge of Duties) Act [CAP. 268 R.E. 2019], wanasheria wote walio katika Utumishi wa Umma ni Mawakilli wa Serikali.
Hawa ni wanasheria ambao WANATEKELEZA MAJUKUMU YA OFISI YA MWANASHERIA MKUU wa Serikali katika Wizara, Mamlaka za Serikali za Mitaa, Mashirika ya Umma, Idara zinazojitegemea au Taasisi za Serikali.
(Zingatia: Hii inawahusu wale tu WANAOTOA HUDUMA ZA KISHERIA (LEGAL SERVICES) katika taasisi hizo. Lakini haiwahusu wale ambao ni wanasheria, lakini hawatoi huduma za kisheria, kwa mfano LECTURERS (wahadhiri wa sheria) katika taasisi za Umma.)
Je, wanaruhusiwa kuapishwa na kufanya kazi za Uwakili wa kujitegemea?
Generally, sheria haiwazuii wanasheria walio katika utumishi wa umma kuapishwa kuwa Mawakili wa kujitegemea ili kulinda Seniority yao. Inachozuia ni kutoa leseni ya kuwaruhusu kufanya kazi za Mawakili binafsi.
Kwa hiyo, wanasheria walio katika utumishi wa umma wanaruhusiwa kuandikishwa kwenye Roll of Advocates, lakini hatua hiyo haiwapi haki ya kufanya kazi za Uwakili wa kujitegemea wakiwa bado katika utumishi wa umma.
Ukisoma Kanuni ya 8 ya Kanuni za Utekelezaji wa Majukumu ya Ofisi ya Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali, 2006 (The Office of the Attorney General (Discharge of Duties), Regulations, 2006) inasema;
“The Law Officer, a State Attorney or a Legal Officer shall not become a practicing advocate and a Law Officer, a State Attorney or a Legal Officer who accepts a court brief on a matter in which the Government is concerned or is adversely or may be adversely affected shall be deemed to be engaged in a matter that adversely affect the public confidence and jeopardize the credit and integrity of the legal profession and the public service.”
Kanuni ya 6(3) inasema Wakili wa Serikali ana haki ya kunufaika na haki wanazofanya Mawakili wa Kujitegemea ISIPOKUWA KUPOKEA ADA YA UWAKILI kwa namna inavyokatazwa katika Sheria hiyo pamoja na Kanuni zinazosimamia Utumishi wa Umma.
“It shall be the right of a Law Officer, State Attorney and a Legal Officer to enjoy the privileges attached to advocates save for charging and receiving reward in a form of fees and fo the extent prohibited or restricted by the Act and laws governing employment in the public service.”
Katazo hili lipo pia kwenye kifungu cha 17A(1) cha Sheria ya Utekelezaji wa Majukumu ya Ofisi ya Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali (The Office of the Attorney General (Discharge of Duties) Act [CAP. 268 R.E. 2019].
Kifungu hicho kinasema hivi; “A Law Officer or State Attorney shall not, for the whole period of service as a Law Officer or State Attorney, practise as an advocate.”
Hata hivyo chini ya Kifungu cha 17A(3) cha Sheria hiyo hiyo, Mwanasheria Mkuu, kwa kuombwa na Wakili wa Serikali au yeye mwenyewe akiona inafaa, ana mamlaka ya kumsamehe Wakili wa Serikali kwa kumuondolea hicho kizuizi
Kifungu kinasema, “Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Attorney General may, upon application by a Law Officer or State Attorney or, where in his opinion he considers it necessary, exempt a Law Officer or State Attorney from the application of the provisions of subsection (1).”
Tofauti na hapo, ni kinyume cha sheria, Kanuni na taratibu, kwa wanasheria walio katika utumishi wa Umma kufanya kazi za Wakili binafsi. Na Ofisi ya Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali ilishatoa ufafanuzi na maelekezo kuhusu hilo jambo.
JE, KAMA WAKILI WA SERIKALI AMESTAAFU AU KUACHA KAZI?
Hata Wakili wa Serikali akiistaafu au kuacha kazi za Serikali, haruhusiwi kufanya kazi za ya kumwakilisha mteja au kuwa msuluhishi (mediator/arbitrator} katika jambo lolote alilolifanyia kazi wakati akiwa Wakili wa Serikali.
Kuna kesi ya BARAKA OWAWA Vs TANZANIA TEACHERS’ UNION, Miscellaneous Labour Application no. 6 of 2020, ambapo Wakili (Mr Goodluck Raphael Lukandiza) aliyesaini Nyaraka za Baraka Owawa (hati ya kiapo au affidavit) hakuwa na leseni ya Uwakili. Na mfumo wa kuwatambua Mawakili ukawa unaonesha kwamba haruhusiwi kwa sababu haja renew (kuhuisha) leseni.
Baadaye Wakili wa Baraka Owawa, akaiambia Mahakama kwamba, Mr Lukandiza hakuwa Wakili wa kujitegemea bali alikuwa Wakili wa Serikali (a law officer or a state attorney) aliyeajiriwa na Halmashauri ya Musoma mjini. Hivyo alikuwa ana mamlaka ya kusaini nyaraka chini ya kifungu cha 17A(3) cha Sheria ya Utekelezaji wa Majukumu ya Ofisi ya Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali (The Office of the Attorney General (Discharge of Duties) Act [CAP. 268 RE 2002].
Akasema kwamba, kwa mujibu wa kifungu hicho, Mawakili wa Serikali (law officers and state attorneys) wana mamlaka ya kufanya kazi za Uwakili kwa kuzingatia mwongozo (guidelines) uliotolewa na Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali.
Kifungu kinasema, “Without prejudice to subsection (2), a Law Officer or State Attorney may, subject to the guidelines prescribed by the Attorney General, administer oaths or attest documents as a commissioner for oaths or as a notary public; Provided that such attestation or administration shall not have potential conflict of interest with his employer.”
Lakini hapo hapo, akaiambia Mahakama kwamba, Ofisi ya Mwanasheria Mkuu ilikuwa bado haijatoa mwongozo huo (guidelines) kama inavyotakiwa chini ya kifungu cha 17A(4).
Na kweli wakati huo mwongozo (guidelines) ulikuwa haujatolewa.
Leo napoandika Makala hii, mwongozo umeshatolewa, unaitwa “The Office of the Attorney General (Discharge of Duties) Guidelines for Practising State Attorneys and Law Officers, 2020, GN. NO. 1008.”
Paragraph ya 4(1) ya mwongozo huo inakataza Wakili wa serikali asipewe leseni ya kufanya Uwakili wa kujitegemea kwa kipindi chote ambacho atakuwa ni Wakili wa Serikali.
Nanukuu, “Subject to section 34 of the Advocates Act, a Law Officer or State Attorney shall not, for the whole period of service as a Law Officer or State Attorney, be issued with practising certificate as an advocate.”
Sub Paragraph ya pili, inamruhusu Mwanasheria Mkuu kutoa kibali kwa Wakili wa Serikali kupewa leseni ya Kufanya Uwakili binafsi, kama kuna sababu maalum.
Nanukuu, “Notwithstanding the prohibition under subparagraph (1), the Attorney General may, where special reasons exist, grant permission for a Law Officer or State Attorney to be issued with practising certificate as an advocate.”
Sub paragraph ya 3 imetaja baadhi ya sababu maalum (special reasons).
Sub paragraph 4 ya mwongozo inamruhusu Wakili wa Serikali anayetaka leseni ya kufanya kazi ya Uwakili wa kujitegemea kutuma maombi kwa Mwanasheria Mkuu kwa kujaza fomu maalum
Nanukuu: “A Law Officer or State Attorney who wishes to be issued with a practising certificate shall apply to the Attorney General for permission by filling the application form set out in the First Schedule to these Guidelines.”
Kuhusu kesi ya Baraka Owawa (ukitaka kujua kilichoendelea utasoma kwa muda wako). Lakini kiufupi Mahakama ilikataa kile kiapo (affidavit) kwa sababu kilisainiwa na Wakili asiye na vigezo (Unqualified Person) na kesi nzima ikatupiliwa mbali.
Mahakama ikasema, “whatever documents prepared endorsed or work done by an unqualified person does not have legal value in courts. The reasons are not far to find, first such work is a result of criminality and deceit, secondly the work or document lacks legality.”
Hata ukisoma mwongozo - The Office of the Attorney General (Discharge of Duties) Guidelines for Practising State Attorneys and Law Officers, 2020, GN. NO. 1008, hiki kitu kimewekwa.
Paragraph 6(1) inasema, “Any action, suit, cause, matter or proceeding involving the Government in relation to which an unqualified person so acts shall be invalid.”
-----MWISHO----
Angalizo: Position au maelezo haya ni kwa mujibu wa kesi na sheria zilizokuwa zinatumika mpaka siku ya kupost hili andiko. Hivyo unaposoma leo haya maelezo, soma kesi na sheria zilizopo sasa hivi, ili ujue utaratibu bado ni ule ule au la! Sheria zinarekebishwa na mpya zinatungwa kila siku.
Disclaimer: Lengo la hii makala ni kutoa elimu kwa jamii. Huu sio ushauri wa kisheria kwa mtu yeyote. Ikiwa utaamua kufungua kesi kwa kufata haya maelezo na ukapata hasara, mwandishi wa maelezo haya hatawajibika kwa vyovyote vile. Kama unahitaji ushauri wa kisheria wasiliana na Mawakili.
Pia natoa angalizo, wale wazee wa kukopi machapisho ya watu na kuweka majina yenu. Ni kosa kisheria. Hatua kali zitachukuliwa kwa yeyote atakayejimilikisha andiko hili. Unaruhusiwa tu kushare lakini usibadili yaliyomo. Ni heri uanze kuandika ya kwako mpya.
Makala hii imeandaliwa na kuletwa kwako nami Zakaria (0754575246 WhatsApp).
