Legal

Search Historical Legislation

Overview

​Botswana historical legislation, including those enacted pre-independence and post-independence, is listed on the Botswana e-Laws website.  Historical legislation can be searched and downloaded in PDF format from the e-Laws website.

Who is eligible?

Public 

How do I get this service?

To retrieve a listing of historical legislation, conduct a search and download PDF copies of the legislation, visit the Botswana e-Laws website and click on the historical legislation tab. 
Botswana e-Laws web address: www.elaws.g​​​ov.bw​

How long will this service take?

Immediate 

Theme for this service
Legal
How much does it cost?

No cost 

Ministry submitting this Service
Attorney General's Chambers

Access to Legal Services By Government Ministries/Departments

Overview

Provide legal advice to the Government in the public interest.

Who is eligible?

Government Ministries and Departments

How do I get this service?

Consult the seconded/resident Legal Advisor in the respective Ministry/Department or directly seek assistance from the office of the Attorney General.

How long will this service take?

Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP)

  • Time taken to conclude criminal cases= 24 months

Civil Litigation Division (CLD)

  • Time taken to conclude civil cases =18 months
  •  Legal advice given within 10 day.

Legislative Drafting Division   (LDD)

  • Time taken for the drafting complex bills= 14.5 months.
  • Time taken for the drafting of non-Complex bills= 9.5 months.
  • Time taken the drafting of complex statutory instruments= 9.5 months.
  • Time taken for the drafting of non-complex statutory instruments= 6.5 months

International  and Commercial Division (ICD)   

  • Time taken for the drafting of commercial Agreements= 10 working days
  • Time taken for the drafting of bi-lateral agreements= 10 working days
  • Time taken for the drafting of multilateral agreements= 14 working days
Where can I obtain this service?

Resident Legal Office in the respective Ministries/Departments or alternatively contact the:

Attorney General's Chambers

Public Relations Officer
Private Bag 009
Gaborone, Botswana
Tel. (+267) 3613928
Fax. (+267) 3930261

Email. AGC_Communication_Desk [at] gov.bw (AGC_Communication_Desk[at]gov[dot]bw)

Theme for this service
Legal
How much does it cost?

No cost

Ministry submitting this Service
Attorney General's Chambers

Commissioner of Oath

Overview

Certifies copies of original documents and commissions oath on an affidavit.

Who is eligible?

Any person who has the need to make an oath on affidavit and certify copies.

How do I get this service?
  • Office of the District Commissioner
  • Botswana Police Service
  • Magistrates
  • Civil and National Registration
What supporting documents are required?
  • Original Copy
  • Copy of the original
  • National Identification Document (Omang for citizens) or Passport for Non-citizens
  • 2 Witnesses
How long will this service take?

Customers can acquire information from the office of the District Commissioner in all Districts.

Theme for this service
Legal
How much does it cost?

There is no cost.

Ministry submitting this Service
Ministry for State President

Solemnization of Marriage

Overview

The service is given to a couple who wishes to be joined in matrimony. The marriage is solemnized by the District Commissioner in accordance with the law.

Who is eligible?

One must

  • Be twenty one (21) years old or above
  • Widow / widower
  • Sane (Mentally fit ) persons
  • Divorced persons
How do I get this service?
  • The couple should present themselves in person at the time of registration and at the time of solemnization. 
  • Any witness above twenty one (21) years for each party.
What supporting documents are required?

A certified copy of a valid National Identity card (Omang).

How long will this service take?

Filling of Solemnization forms twenty one (21) days before the marriage is solemnized.

Where can I obtain this service?

District Commisioners Offices throughout Botswana.

Theme for this service
Legal
How much does it cost?

P 40.00 for banns, P 90.00 for special.

Ministry submitting this Service
Ministry for State President

Appeals to Land Tribunal

Overview

Those wishing to appeal a decision of the Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, a Main Land Board or Planning Authority may apply to the Land Tribunal offices located in Gaborone, Maun, Francistown and Palapye. While the decisions made by the Land Tribunal are final and legally binding, the process has been designed to be less formal and easier to access than the general Court system.  The Land Tribunal also hears applications from the Main Land Boards, Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services and Planning authorities for the enforcement of their decisions.

Who is eligible?

Any person or business that has been directly affected by the decision of a Main Land Board, Planning Authority or the Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services may make application for an appeal to the Land Tribunal.  Applicants must demonstrate that they are directly affected by the decision they are appealing by providing a copy of the letter addressed to them from the Main Land Board or Planning Authority that contains the resolution in question.

How do I get this service?

To file an appeal with the Land Tribunal, follow the steps listed below;

 

LAND BOARD APPEALS AND PLANNING APPEALS

  • Notice and grounds of appeal.
  • The notice of appeal should contain Appellant(s) and the Respondent(s) full names, postal and Physical addresses and contacts.
  • Provide a list of witnesses that you intend to call (if any)
What supporting documents are required?

LAND BOARD APPEALS

  • Land Board Resolution letter that is being challenged.
  • Certified copy of Certificate of Customary Land Grant, Lease agreement or Tittle Deed (If any is available).
  •  A sketch plan depicting the area in dispute.
  • Copy of valid National Identity card (Omang) or Passport for Non-citizens
  • A letter of authority to represent should be attached.This is required if a person who is appearing before the Land Tribunal is not appearing as a party to the matter or an Attorney but merely assigned to represent one of the parties.
  • If an appeal is filed on behalf of a deceased’s Estate, a letter of authority from family members as well as letter of confirmation of relationship from Bogosi or District Commissioner and certified copy of death certificate should be attached.
  •  Resolution letter from Board of Directors authorizing representation should be attached, (if the Appellant is a Syndicate, an Association, Club Society, Company, a Trust, Church etc.)
  • A certified copy of Certificate of Incorporation (for companies) and a Certificate of Registration (if the Appellant is a Syndicate, an Association, Club Society, Company, a Trust, Church etc.)
  • A copy of Constitution (if the Appellant is a Syndicate, an Association, Club society, Company, a Trust, Church etc.)
  • A certified copy of Certificate of Registration from Registrar of Societies, (if the Appellant is a Syndicate, an Association, Club society, Company, a Trust, Church etc.)

PLANNING APPEALS

  • Planning authority (City/Town/District Council) resolution letter that is being challenged.
  • Certified copy of Certificate of Customary Land Grant, Lease agreement or Tittle Deed (If any is available).
  •  A copy of drawings that were submitted to the Planning Authority in support of the application.
  • Copy of neighborhood consultation forms (if any)
  • Confirmation of authority to represent,
  • A letter of authority to represent should be attached, if a person who is appearing before the Land Tribunal is not appearing as a party to the matter or an Attorney but merely assigned to represent one of the parties.
  • If an appeal is filed on behalf of a deceased’s Estate, a letter of authority from family members as well as letter of confirmation of relationship from Bogosi or District Commissioner and certified copy of death certificate should be attached.
  • Resolution letter from Board of Directors authorizing representation should be attached, (if the Appellant is a syndicate, an Association, Club, Society, Company, a Trust, Church etc.).
  • A certified copy of Certificate of Incorporation (for companies) and a Certificate of  registration if the Appellant is a syndicate, an Association, Club, Society, Company, a Trust, Church etc.).
  • A copy of Constitution (if the Appellant is a Syndicate, an Association, Club, Society, Company, a Trust, Church etc.)
  • A certified copy of Certificate of Registration from Registrar of Societies, (if the Appellant is a Syndicate, an Association, Club, Society, Company, a Trust, Church etc.)
  • Copy of National Identity card (Omang) or Passport for Non citizens).

NB: All documents submitted to the Land Tribunal should always be in triplicate. •          All the parties to the appeal should be served with copies after filing with the land tribunal

How long will this service take?

After all documentation has been filed with the Land Tribunal, appeals against decisions of land Boards will be completed within 12 months. 

Where can I obtain this service?

For more information, please contact the offices listed below, 07:30 to 12:45 and 13:45 to 16:30, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.  Alternatively, you may wish to consult the Ministry of Land Management Water and Sanitation Services.

Gaborone Division

P/Bag 00211

Plot 21 Corner of Khama Cresent and Queens Road

Tel: 3903388

Fax: 3904711

 

Palapye Division

P.O Box 10318

Pota Post

Plot 1707, Unit 4

Lotsane Complex (Shashane Mall)

Tel: 4920263/4920265

Fax: 4920262

 

Francistown

P/Bag F146

Theme for this service
Legal
How much does it cost?

BWP10.00 for registering an appeal. 

Ministry submitting this Service
Ministry of Lands and Water Affairs

Search Botswana New Legislation

Overview

Botswana legislation that will soon be enacted, or has recently been enacted, is listed on the Botswana e-Laws website. This new legislation, including acts, bills and statutory instruments, can be searched and listings can be downloaded in PDF format from the e-Laws website.  Hard copies of the full contents of the legislation can be purchased from the government bookstore.  

Who is eligible?

Public  

How do I get this service?

  • To retrieve a listing of new legislation, conduct a search and download PDF copies of the listings, visit the Botswana e-Laws website at the URL listed below and click on the New Legislation tab.  
     
    Botswana e-Laws web address: www.elaws.gov.bw. 

  • Hard copies of the full contents of the legislative documents can be purchased from the Botswana Government Printing & Publishing Bookstore located at: 
     
    Botswana Government Printing and Publishing 
    Plot 1181/82, Main Mall, Botswana Road 
    Private Bag 0081 
    Gaborone 
    Botswana 

 
Tel. (+267) 395-3202/395-9392 
Fax. (+267) 395-9392  
Opening hours: 07:30 to 12:45 and 13:45 to 16:30, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

How long will this service take?
  • Immediate 
  • Purchases at the Government Bookstore can be completed immediately during business hours 
Theme for this service
Legal
How much does it cost?

Hard copy publications are priced individually at the bookstore

Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana, Government of Botswana

Keywords

Attorney General's Chambers, Attorney General, Attorney, Advocate, Lawyer, Laws, Statutes, Policy, Prosecution, Criminal Cases, Litigation, Civil Matters, Drafting, Negotiation, Cabinet Memo, Government Notices, Government Gazette, Agreements, Treaties, Bills, Act, Constitution, Penal Code, Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, Legal Opinion, Legal Advice.

Ministry submitting this Service
Attorney General's Chambers
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