Welcome to the Zambia Legal Information Institute

ZambiaLII publishes the law of Zambia for free access to all. We are a member of the international free access to law movement. Read, use, and share the law freely.

Judgments

Legislation

Gazettes

Bills

Speeches

Law Reform Reports

ZambiaLII is a reliable and timely source of judicial decisions, legislation, and statutory instruments. The Southern African Institute for Policy and Research (SAIPAR), an independent, educational, and development-oriented research centre, hosts ZambiaLII.

View the ZambiaLII Brochureopens in new tab

My ZambiaLII

Your personal research space — save documents, add notes, and get updates when the law changes.

Recent Judgments

Thom Trevor Shamakamba v Patson Chilemba and Ors (2024/HN/307) [2026] ZMHC 83 (30 June 2026) National newspaper imputing corruption to the applicant was defamatory; fair‑comment defence failed for lack of verified supporting facts. Tort — Defamation — Publication of statements imputing corruption and incompetence to a public official — Defence of Fair Comment — Requirement that comment be opinion, based on proved facts, on matter of public interest, and not actuated by malice — Malice and Verification — Failure to verify serious allegations and absence of evidential support undermines defences	30 June 2026
Law Association of Zambia v Attorney General and Anor (2026/CCZ/003) [2026] ZMCC 16 (30 June 2026) A petition is the proper mode to challenge an alleged unconstitutional presidential appointment; preliminary dismissal was refused. Constitutional Law — Mode of Commencement — Petition as proper process to challenge acts or decisions under Article 128(3) of the Constitution — Judicial Review — Challenges to Presidential appointments — Limits of procedural rules versus constitutional right to petition Civil Procedure — Preliminary Issues — When substantive merit questions cannot be decided at preliminary stage	30 June 2026
Tapiwa Mvula v Golden Key Investments Limited (CAZ/08/113/2026) [2026] ZMCA 108 (29 June 2026) Leave to appeal does not excuse late filing; failure to secure further leave renders the appeal incompetent. Civil Procedure — Appeals — Filing Time Limits and Leave to Appeal Out of Time — Effect of failure to file within prescribed period	29 June 2026
The University Of Zambia v Kenny Samui (CAZ/08/110/2026) [2026] ZMCA 106 (29 June 2026) Whether a collective‑agreement gratuity can ground retention on payroll under Article 189 and the Employment Code. Civil Procedure — Stay of Execution — Criteria for granting a stay pending appeal — Order 10 r 5, Court of Appeal Rules, 2016 Employment Law — Collective Agreements — Retention on payroll for gratuity — Interpretation of "in accordance with the current law" and interplay with Article 189 and s 73 Employment Code Act No. 3 of 2019	29 June 2026
Orezone Mining And Exploration Limited v Divine Booker Limited and Another (SP.26/2025) [2026] ZMCA 115 (26 June 2026)	26 June 2026
Munwela Kabeta v Naomi Mushota and Others (APPLICATION NO. 60/2026) [2026] ZMCA 113 (26 June 2026) Court granted leave to apply for stay of execution out of time, reversing the single judge's refusal. Civil Procedure — Appeals — Stay of Execution Pending Appeal — Leave to Apply Out of Time — Extension of Time — Delay Attributable to Counsel — Generally Not a Sufficient Excuse — Court of Appeal Discretion — Section 9(b) Court of Appeal Act; Order 13 Court of Appeal Rules	26 June 2026
National Pensions Scheme Authority and Others v Richard Chama and Others (CAZ/08/630/2023) [2026] ZMCA 107 (26 June 2026) Stay of execution denied: applicant failed to show appeal prospects and special circumstances to justify halting pension assessment payment. Civil Procedure — Stay of Execution — Requirements: appeal prospects and special/compelling circumstances — Order X r4(5) Court of Appeal Rules Pension Law — Assessment of Benefits — Application of Supreme Court directions and appropriate actuarial valuation method	26 June 2026
Langford Solomon Phiri and Another v Assedy Chililo and Others (APPEAL NO. 256/2024) [2026] ZMCA 103 (26 June 2026) A Certificate of Title may be cancelled for fraud only where the party alleging fraud proves it clearly and strictly. Land Law — Title and Registration — Cancellation of Certificate of Title for Fraud or Impropriety — Burden and Standard of Proof under Lands and Deeds Registry Act ss 33–34 Civil Procedure — Evidence and Pleadings — Failure to Prosecute Counter‑Claim and Absence of Evidence — Court Cannot Cancel Title Without Clear Proof	26 June 2026
Wilfred Mweene v Attorney General and Anor (Appeal No. 11 of 2026) [2026] ZMSC 12 (26 June 2026) High Court wrongly dismissed an Article 28(1) Bill of Rights petition; appeal allowed and matter remitted. Constitutional Law — Bill of Rights — Article 28(1) — Competence of petitions challenging alleged rights infringements Civil Procedure — Jurisdiction and Procedure — Sua sponte determination at scheduling conference — Requirement to invite parties to address competence Electoral Law — Forum — Distinction between nomination challenges under the Electoral Process Act and constitutional petitions under Article 28(1)	26 June 2026
K.E.E Real Estates Limited v Josphat Phiri and Ors (2025/HPC/0103) [2026] ZMHC 80 (26 June 2026) Sale of estate property without prior court authority is void; purchaser entitled to restitution and interest, not damages. Succession Law — Sale of Estate Property — Requirement of Prior Court Authority under Intestate Succession Act s 19(2) — Void ab initio Equity — Unjust Enrichment — Restitution of Monies Paid Under A Void Contract Contract Law — Damages — Inapplicability Where Contract Is Void Ab Initio; Interest as Appropriate Remedy	26 June 2026

View more judgments

Recent Legislation

Patents (Amendment) Act, 1980	Act 18 of 1980	1 January 9999
National Assembly (Speaker's Retirement Benefits) Act, 2026	Act 77 of 2026	12 June 2026
Local Government (Amendment) Act, 2026	Act 76 of 2026	12 June 2026
Penal Code (Amendment) Act, 2026	Act 75 of 2026	12 June 2026
Water Supply and Sanitation Services Act, 2026 Uncommenced	Act 13 of 2026	12 June 2026
Benefits of Former Chief Justice Act, 2026	Act 71 of 2026	12 June 2026
Legal Aid (Amendment) Act, 2026 Uncommenced	Act 23 of 2026	12 June 2026
Mental Health (Amendment) Act, 2026 Uncommenced	Act 36 of 2026	12 June 2026
National Youth Development Council (Amendment) Act, 2026 Uncommenced	Act 34 of 2026	12 June 2026
Business Regulatory (Amendment) Act, 2026 Uncommenced	Act 29 of 2026	12 June 2026

View more legislation

Recent Gazettes

Zambia Government Gazette dated 2026-06-05 number 7936	5 June 2026
Zambia Government Gazette dated 2026-06-05 number 7937	5 June 2026
Zambia Government Gazette dated 2026-06-04 number 7935	4 June 2026
Zambia Government Gazette dated 2026-05-29 number 7933	29 May 2026
Zambia Government Gazette dated 2026-05-29 number 7934	29 May 2026