The Law School of Tanzania (hereinafter referred to as the School) was established in 2007 by the Law School of Tanzania Act No 5 of 2007 that came into force on 2nd May 2007. The establishment of the School was an important development within the broader Legal Sector Reforms  being implemented under the Ministry Constitutional and Legal Affairs. These reforms began in 2000 following the launching of the Medium Term Strategy (MTS) and Action Plan in December 1999.

The reforms had their genesis in the 1977 Msekwa report. The report recommended establishment of an appropriate institution for provision of practical legal education. It was also indicated in the report that, the then internship system for law graduates suffered a number of limitations that could not guarantee production of competent legal professionals. Some of the weaknesses experienced in the internship system as reported in the Msekwa report included insufficient quality time provided to students by senior legal officers in their internships and the lack of clear focus in the internship system. The report proposed conceptualization of a practical training in legal education in a course properly conceived and executed for that purpose.

In 1996 a task force headed by Judge Mark Bomani conducted a further study and proposed even wider-ranging reforms in the legal sector. The reforms were implemented through the Legal Sector Reform Programme (LSRP). The objectives of the LSRP included speedy dispensation of justice; affordability and access to justice for all social groups; integrity and professionalism of legal officers; enhanced independence of the judiciary; and a legal and regulatory framework and jurisprudence of high standards responsive to social, political, economic and technological trends at both national and international levels.

The shared mission of the legal reform sector was ‘to support the development of social justice, equality, and rule of law through quality and accessible legal services’ within the framework of the Legal Sector. Within these broader reforms, the establishment of the Law School was considered necessary in order to improve the vocational training for law graduates. The establishment of the Law School of Tanzania was an opportunity to have a formal training programme for post-LL.B education. The School would also provide continuing legal education for advocatesn by organizing short-term courses and seminars.

The School was established by The Law School of Tanzania Act No. 5 of 2007, Cap. 425 of the Laws of Tanzania which came into force on 2nd May 2007  as a corporate body with a Governing Board. Section 4 of the Act provides that the School shall:

1. Have perpetual succession and an official seal;
2. In its corporate name be capable of suing and being sued;
3. capable of entering into contract, holding, purchasing or otherwise acquiring in any other way, movable property or immovable property and disposing of any of its property; and
4. Have power to borrow money or property as may be required for efficient and proper performance of its functions.

The Governing Board is mandated to oversee the School and its functions. The Board is assisted by a standing committee known as the Practical Legal Training Committee.