t consists of the Chief Justice, the Judge President and such other Judges of the High Court as may be appointed
from time to time. The Judge President is the overall administrative head of the High Court. The High Court has
permanent seats at Harare and at Bulawayo. It however, also sits three times in a year as a circuit court at Gweru,
Masvingo, Mutare and Hwange.
In criminal trials, the High Court is duly constituted if it consists of one Judge and two assessors. Assessors assist in
deciding issues of fact only and have an equal say as the judge in that regard. When the High Court is hearing
appeals, at least 2 Judges are required. Where an even number of judges sit on appeal and the opinion is equally
divided, the decision is suspended until the opinion of a third Judge is obtained and the decision of the majority
becomes the decision of the court. Assessors are not required during appeal hearings.
In civil cases, the judge sits alone. A Judge, however, has discretion to appoint an assessor or assessors to assist
him in a civil case. In this regard the assessors act only in an advisory capacity and are not entitled to vote in the
decision of the court.
Assessors
These may be appointed from persons who either have experience in the administration of justice or experience or
special skill in any matter, which may have to be considered, by the Court. An assessor may also be appointed on the
basis that s/he has any other experience which in the opinion of the Chief Justice or the Judge President renders
him/her suitable to act as an assessor. Either party to the trial is entitled to challenge the appointment of a particular
assesso