Mr. Tekle Desta
Administrator of Civil Court

The Supreme Court of Tigray also exercises the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in pursuant to the delegation of the FDRE constitution Article 78(2) and as stated at the revised constitution of the State of Tigray Article 65(2)(B).
Specific functions and jurisdictions of the Tigray State Supreme Court are stipulated in Proclamation No. 332/2012. Among those jurisdictions, the following are some:

• First instant jurisdiction on matters related to:
  • Delegated power of the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
  • Cases involving both Federal (High Court) and state matters which have to be entertained jointly.
  • Cases involving matters of change of venue where a suit pending in one High Court be tried by another High Court.
• Appellate jurisdiction on matters related to:
  • Decisions of the state High Court rendered in its first instance jurisdictions.
  • Decisions of the state High Court rendered in its appellate jurisdiction in variation of the decision of the state woreda courts.
  • Cases concerning non-consolidated cases where both parties filed an appeal and one case varied and another confirmed.
  • Decisions rendered by a state High Court exercising the jurisdiction of the Federal First instance court.
  • Cases specified by other laws.
• It shall have the power of cassation over cases when they contain basic or fundamental errors of law.

All civil benches entertaining matters in the Supreme Court shall sit with three judges. But concerning matters with complexity and believed to create differences in interpretation, it will be entertained by five judges. The Supreme Court of Tigray civil bench functions are conducted in the head office located in Mekelle city. But as the case may be, it can be conducted through circuit benches.