Dr. Idd R. Mandi is a lecturer in the Department of Public Law at the University of Dar es Salaam School of Law. He holds a Bachelor of Laws [LL.B. (Hons.]; Master of Laws (LL.M.) and Ph.D. in Law. 

Dr. Mandi is also an Advocate of the High Court and subordinate courts. In 2012, the Minister of Constitutional and Legal Affairs appointed him to serve as a Researcher of the Law Reform Commission (popularly known as “the Warioba Commission”). In 2018 and 2023, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania appointed him to serve as a Commissioner of the Law Reform Commission of Tanzania (LRCT), a position which he still holds now. In 2019, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, EAC, Regional and International Cooperation appointed Dr Mandi to serve as a member of the Team of Constitutional Experts, which is charged with the responsibility to consult stakeholders and, ultimately, draft the Constitution of the East African Confederation. He is the Rapporteur of the Team.

Areas of Interest

He conducted PhD research in Constitutional Law and wrote a PhD thesis titled “Application of the Principle of Popular Sovereignty in Constitution-Making Processes in Kenya and Tanzania.” Dr. Mandi’s areas of interest include Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Administrative Law, and Evidence Law. 

Projects 

1. In 2004, co-opted by Professor S.E. Mchome in drafting the Prisons Standing Orders.

2. In August 2007 to December 2007, participated in the country-wide consultation, research and in the formulation of the National Public Safety and Security Policy, together with Professor S.E. Mchome, Professor L.P. Shaidi, Dr Haji Semboja and Mr Makarious Tairo.

3. In 2008/9, undertook the task of consolidating the two electoral laws (i.e. the National Elections Act [Cap 343 RE 2002] and the Local Government (Elections) Act, [Cap 292 RE 2002]) in conjunction with Professor S.E. Mchome, Dr C.K. Mtaki and Mr Jackton O. Koyugi.

4. In December 2010, co-opted by Professor S.E. Mchome in translating the following documents into Kiswahili: the Handbook for Procedures of Human Rights; A Guide for Prison Officers; the Basic Guidelines on Prosecutions in Tanzania; and A Handbook for Police Officers Based on the Revised Police General Orders.

5. In December 2011- March 2012, participated in drafting the Guidelines for the Establishment of Police Gender and Children’s Desks and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in relation to Gender Based Violence and Violence against Children together with Prof. S.E. Mchome and Mr. L. Tibasana.

6. In August 2012, served as the Leader of the UDSM School of Law Team, which was assigned the task of researching and exploring the possibility of establishing a Postgraduate Centre for Natural Gas and Oil Law.

7. In October 2012, appointed by the Minister of Constitutional Affairs and Justice to serve as a Researcher of the Constitutional Review Commission.

8. Served as an editor of the Law Reports of Tanzania from 2014 to 2018.

9. In June 2014, undertook the task of translating the Government’s Report on the 50 Years of the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar into English in conjunction with Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi and Dr John Jingu. The work was commissioned by the Vice President’s Office. 

10. Appointed a technical editor of the Eastern Africa Law Review Journal in 2025.

Publications

A Book

Constituent Institutions: Their Nature, Formation, Powers and Functions, LexisNexis, Duban, 2025.

Book Chapters

“The State of Constitutionalism and Bumpy Drive to a New Constitution in Tanzania: Review for the Year 2011”, in Alexander Makulilo (ed.), The Annual State of Constitutionalism in East Africa, Fountain Publishers, Kampala, pp.79-145.

Journal Articles

1. “Disqualification of Judges in Judicial Proceedings in Tanzania: A Lawyer’s Minefield,” Published in the Tanzania Lawyer, Vol. 2, No. 1, 2008.

2. “The Procedure of a Trial within a Trial: The Need for a Statutory Intervention,” Published in the Eastern Law Review, Combined Issue, Vols 35-40, 2009.

3. “Observations on the Law and Exercise of Prerogative of Mercy in Tanzania,” Published in Nyerere Law Journal, Vol. 1, 2014.

4. “The Uncertainty of Law on the Offence of “Armed Robbery” in Tanzania: Transgression of the Treasured Principle of Legality,’ in Eastern Law Review, Vol. 41, July 2014. 

5. “Consensus-building and Popular Participation in Constitution-Making: Lessons from Early Constituent Processes in Tanganyika and Zanzibar,” in Eastern Law Review, Vol. 49, No. 2, 2022.

6. “Entrusting a Witch with a Baby: the 2014 Constituent Assembly and the Failure of a Constitution-Making Process in Tanzania,” The African Review (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/1821889x-20230002.

7. The Making of Zanzibar’s Independence Constitution: The Perils of Constitution-Making by Powerholders” in Zanzibar Yearbook of Law (ZYBL), Vol. 12, 2022, pp. 127-161.