On 28 August 2026, the Judiciary of Zambia announced plans to establish a specialised Lands and Environment Court. The proposed court is intended to improve the handling of land and environmental disputes through specialised judicial expertise and contribute to reducing delays in the justice system.
The establishment of the court is significant for civic space because it has the potential to improve access to justice for individuals, communities, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders seeking legal remedies in land and environmental matters. By enabling more timely and informed adjudication of disputes, the initiative could strengthen accountability, promote the protection of environmental and land rights, and enhance public confidence in the justice system. It also reflects an institutional effort to address systemic delays that have limited effective access to legal redress in these areas.