Section 174: Other courts and tribunals
Constitution of Zimbabwe
(1) An Act of Parliament may provide for the establishment, composition and jurisdiction ofโ
(a) magistrates courts, to adjudicate on civil and criminal cases;
(b) customary law courts whose jurisdiction consists primarily in the application of
customary law;
(c) other courts subordinate to the High Court; and
(d) tribunals for arbitration, mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.
(2) For the purpose of this section and section 171(1)(b), it is declared, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Labour Court and Administrative Court are courts subordinate to the High Court.
[Subsection inserted by s. 5 of Act No. 10 of 2017]
This section empowers Parliament to create a hierarchical legal system with diverse courts and tribunals. It establishes a framework for specialized justice mechanisms, including traditional customary law courts and alternative dispute resolution forums. The 2017 amendment clarifies that both Labor and Administrative Courts fall under the High Court's authority, ensuring a clear judicial hierarchy while allowing for specialized legal expertise in different domains.