Settlement of Matrimonial Disputes through Marriage Conciliation Boards in Mainland Tanzania : Critical Analysis of the Law and Practice Governing Communal Boards

Abstract

Concerns about irregularities being occasioned by Marriage Conciliation Boards (MCB) in marriage reconciliation are continuously coming to light in different ways, including, scholarly works and case law. This article focuses on examination of the law and practice governing Communal Boards with view to find out the reasons for the irregularities in the process of reconciliation through MCB.

The study employed both documentary review and in-depth interviews as methods of data collection. The data obtained from the study suggested two major findings:- lack of understanding of the role for which MCB were intended to achieve and the composition required for MCB to transact its business and that majority of religious communities though they perform the functions of MCB, they do not meet the conditions for registration. The article recommends for the training of members of Communal Boards on the role of the Boards and its process in reconciliation.