About the High Court

This is the court that lies between the Magistrate Court and the Court of Appeal. It was created as a superior court of record with, unlimited original jurisdiction to hear and determine any criminal and civil cases under any law. This means therefore, that the doors of the High Court are open for cases of all types, from family matters to Criminal matters.

Up until 1992, Judges of the High Court were expatriate Judges who were appointed on short contracts of 2-3 years. However this has since changed, and today all High Court Judges are Locals. The localization of the High Court started in 1992, when two citizen judges were appointed to the bench. The late Justice Moleleki Didwell Mokama was appointed the first citizen Chief Justice of Botswana followed by the Late Justice Mukwesu Nganunu and Justice Maruping Dibotelo. During 1992, Mr Lethebe Maine was appointed acting Judge for a short period. The current Chief Justice Hon Justice Terence T. Rannowane is also a citizen of Botswana. This marked a change in the history of the Judiciary of Botswana, in that for the first time the Judiciary came under the control of citizens.

Currently there are three High Court divisions the main one being the head quarters at Gaborone, Lobatse and the other one is in the northern part of the country, in Francistown.