History and Milestones

1907-1908 (1900 EC)

Before judicial work formally began in courts, the Afe Nigus handled judicial matters. Regional governors also served as presiding judges in judicial administration. Among the 11 original ministers appointed on October 23, 1907, a Minister of Justice was included. Ethiopia's first Minister of Justice was Afe Nigus Nesibu Meskelu. The Minister's appellate work in criminal and civil cases was guided by the "Fetha Negest". After the Minister of Justice was appointed on October 23, 1907, 12 assistant benches and 6 courtrooms were added due to the heavy workload.

1918 (1910 EC)

On March 23, 1918, the public gathered at Jan Meda demanding the removal of ministers. On March 25, 1918, all ministers except the Minister of War were dismissed. Afenigus Tilahun, who was the Minister of Justice at the time, was removed from his position, interrupting justice administration at the ministerial level.

1930 (1922 EC)

Ministerial offices were re-established, and the Minister of Justice resumed its work. Litigation between Ethiopians and foreigners was handled in trials where the King presided.

1931 (1923 EC)

On December 10, 1931, the Minister of Justice was given the task of executing the amnesty decree.

1941 (1933 EC)

From the time the King went into exile until 1941, due to foreign invasion, the country had no government or Minister of Justice.

1941 (1934 EC)

After the King returned from exile, the Ministry of Justice began work based on Proclamation No. 1/1934, which for the first time announced judicial administration.

1942 (1935 EC)

The Prosecutor's Proclamation was promulgated, empowering the Ministry of Justice to supervise prosecutors and represent the government in criminal cases for the first time. The Ministry of Justice was officially recognized as an institution in accordance with Article 22 of Order No. 1/1942.

1946 (1938 EC)

Two foreigners were appointed as Advocates General. Mr. Nathan Marien, an Israeli citizen, was one of those who led the institution as Advocate General.

1951 (1943 EC)

The title of the official in charge of investigating and prosecuting crimes was changed from Principal Public Prosecutor to Advocate General.

1953 (1945 EC)

The Ministry of Justice was granted the authority to control the central government's administration of justice.

1956 (1948 EC)

In addition to advising the government, the Minister of Justice would appear before Parliament when called upon to provide explanations on raised issues.

1962 (1954 EC)

The Criminal Procedure Code was enacted. The Ministry of Justice was mandated to regulate the enforcement of this law and given power to issue amended regulations concerning the substantive jurisdiction of courts in criminal matters.

1973 (1965 EC)

The Judicial Administration Council was established, with the Minister of Justice as its chairman.

1977 (1969 EC)

The institution's name was changed from "Ministry of Justice" to "Ministry of Law and Justice."

1983 (1975 EC)

Codification work officially began with the goal of revising the codes from the 1950s. Teams of experts from various institutions were formed to draft criminal and civil laws, their procedural laws, commercial law, and other laws for the Code.

1987 (1980 EC)

Under the PDRE (People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia) Constitution, the Ministry of Justice was re-established as the body responsible for leading justice administration. The Attorney General's Office was established as an independent government body, given significant responsibility in criminal and civil matters.

1992 (1984 EC)

On August 11, 1992, the Federal Special Prosecutor's Office was established according to Proclamation No. 22/1992.

1992 (1985 EC)

The Central Prosecutor's Office of the Transitional Government was established. A special Attorney General's Office, directly accountable to the Prime Minister, was also established under Proclamation No. 22/1985.

1995 (1987 EC)

The Ministry of Justice and the Central Prosecutor's Office were merged as per Proclamation No. 4/1995. In 1996 (1988 EC), the merged institution, the Ministry of Justice, moved to its current main office building.

2009 (2001 EC)

Basic Business Process Reengineering (BPR) was implemented.

2011 (2003 EC)

The Criminal Justice Policy was approved and put into operation.

2015 (2008 EC)

As per Article 16 (14) and (15) of Proclamation No. 916/2015, the Ministry of Justice was mandated to coordinate international cooperation in criminal matters, monitor human rights instrument implementation, respond to issues in consultation with relevant parties, and prepare national reports on implementation. On May 2, 2016 (Miazia 24, 2008 EC), prosecutorial powers previously held by Revenue and Customs, Anti-Corruption Commission, and Consumer Prosecutors were consolidated under the newly re-established Federal Attorney General (which later had its name changed to the Ministry of Justice in 2022).

2016 (2008 EC)

On May 2, 2016 (Miazia 24, 2008 EC), prosecutorial powers previously held by Revenue and Customs, Anti-Corruption Commission, and Consumer Prosecutors were consolidated under the newly re-established Federal Attorney General (which later had its name changed to the Ministry of Justice in 2022).

2016-2017 (2009 EC)

The delegation of powers to regional justice bureaus was revoked, and the Ministry of Justice (at the time, the Attorney General) assigned its own hired prosecutors to monitor federal criminal cases in the regions. However, in 2017-2018 (2010 EC), this new arrangement was discontinued, and the revoked delegation was reinstated to the regional justice bureaus.

2017-2018 (2010 EC)

Vital Legal and justice reform activities were implemented. During these period laws with fundamental problems were identified and amended. The major laws enacted or revised during this period include:

Proclamation No. 1176/2012 on the Prevention and suppression of Terrorism crimes,
Proclamation No. 1113/2011 on Civil Society Organizations,
Proclamation No. 1183/2012 on Federal Administrative Procedure,
Proclamation No. 1174/2012 on the Federal prison administration commission and
Proclamation No. 1238/2013 on Mass Media.

2020 (2012 EC)

The Federal Administrative Procedure Proclamation No. 1183/2012 was approved. Based on the power granted by this proclamation, the Federal Attorney General began to receive, register, number, and make publicly accessible directives from administrative institutions.

2022 (2014 EC)

According to Proclamation No. 1263/2014, the institution's name was reverted to its former designation, "Ministry of Justice." This proclamation also brought consumer and commodity exchange administrative hearings under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice. Additionally, further responsibilities were assigned to the Ministry of Justice.

2023 (2015 EC)

Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with federal and regional justice institutions, developed and implemented a three-year Justice Sector Transformation Plan. The main objectives of the plan are: To make justice services faster, more efficient and cost- effective, to make justice institutions more accessible and trustworthy by building public confidence, to strengthen the rule of law and the protection of human rights. to protect government and public interests by preventing crime, by ensuring peace and security, thereby creating a sustainable development.

2024 (2016 EC)

On April 17, 2024 (Miazia 9, 2016 EC), the Federal Transitional Justice Policy was approved by the Council of Ministers. The Ministry of Justice was given the responsibility to oversee and coordinate the criminal justice administration system and will play a central coordinating role in facilitating the implementation of the policy and supporting various bodies involved in the transitional justice process.

2025 (2017 EC)

On January 1, 2017 E.C, the Asset Recovery Proclamation No. 1364/2017 was enacted and put into force. Its main objectives are: To prevent anyone from gaining economic benefit through unlawful acts, to consolidate scattered legal provisions on asset recovery into one comprehensive law applicable to all types of crimes, to control and monitor the negative impacts that unexplained assets may have on the tax system, foreign currency management, financial transfer systems, and foreign direct investment.