Introduction

This Privacy Policy outlines how the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) of Zimbabwe collects, uses, stores, and protects personal information. The JSC is committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we manage your data. This policy applies to all personal data processed by the JSC through its various operations, systems, and platforms, including but not limited to its website, digital case management systems, human resources, and any other official interactions

Information About Us

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is a constitutional body established in terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The JSC is responsible for promoting and facilitating the independence and accountability of the judiciary and the efficient, effective, and transparent administration of justice in Zimbabwe. For the purposes of this Privacy Policy, "we", "us", "our", or "JSC" refers to the Judicial Service Commission. If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the use of your personal information, or your dealings with the JSC, you can contact us at privacy@jsc.org.zw.

What Type of Information is Collected

The information we collect depends on your interactions with the JSC and the nature of the services or functions you engage with. The information collected can include the following:

Personal Information

Personal information is any information that identifies you as an individual or relates to an identifiable individual. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Name, national identity number, contact details (postal address, telephone, email)
• Professional details (job title, organization, qualifications)
• Financial information (for payments or remuneration)
• information relevant to judicial processes or administrative functions. If you submit any personal information on behalf of other individuals, you must have their explicit consent to do so in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable laws.

Special Categories of Personal Data

In the course of its functions, the JSC may process special categories of personal data, such as genetic, biometric, and health data, as well as information relating to criminal convictions or offenses, where such processing is necessary and permitted by law, particularly in the context of judicial proceedings, disciplinary matters, or employment. Such data will be processed with heightened security measures and strict adherence to the Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07] and other relevant Zimbabwean laws.

Other Information

Other Information is any information that does not reveal your specific identity or does not directly relate to an identifiable individual. This might include, for instance, browser and device information, information collected through cookies and other technologies (e.g., for website analytics), demographic information, and aggregated information.

Location Information

We may collect information about your imprecise location, such as a location derived from your IP address or data that indicates your general geographical area (e.g., city or postal code level). Collecting IP addresses is standard practice and is done automatically by many online services.

How We Collect Information

We may collect information from you in a variety of ways, depending on your interaction with the JSC:

1. Directly from You – e.g. When you do:, job applications, register for events, workshops, or training programs organized by the JSC, inquiries, subscriptions, submit documents or information related to court cases or administrative matters, Subscribe to our newsletters or official communications, feedback forms, interviews.
2. From Your Use of Our Services – e.g., e-filing, case tracking
3. From Third Parties We may receive personal information from third parties where legally permissible and relevant to our functions, such as:– e.g., Other government agencies or public bodies, Legal practitioners or parties involved in judicial proceedings, Publicly available sources,References provided during recruitment processes
4. Automatically Certain information is collected automatically when you interact with our digital platforms, such as our website or online systems. This includes:
• Through Your Browser or Device: Information such as your IP address, screen resolution, operating system, device type, language settings, and browser type.
• Through Cookies and Other Similar Technologies: Like many organizations, the JSC's website may use cookies and similar technologies to collect statistical data about browsing actions and patterns. These do not typically identify you as an individual. Please refer to our separate Cookie Policy (if applicable) for more information on how to control cookies.
• Web Beacons and Analytics Services: Our digital platforms may use web beacons or analytics services to help deliver content, count users, and analyze usage patterns. This information helps us improve our services and user experience.

How We Use Your Personal Data

The processing of personal data by the JSC is governed by the Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07] and other relevant Zimbabwean laws. We will only collect, use, store, and transfer personal information where we have a lawful basis for doing so, which includes:

• To fulfill legal and constitutional obligations: This is primary for the JSC, given its mandate in the administration of justice.
• For the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority: Many of the JSC's functions fall under this category
• To fulfill a contract with you: Where you have entered into an agreement with the JSC (e.g., employment contract).
• Where necessary for our legitimate interests: Provided your interests and fundamental rights do not override these interests.
• Where you have given explicit consent: For specific purposes where consent is the appropriate lawful basis.

Below are examples of how we may use your personal information, but are not limited to:

• To administer judicial processes, including case management, scheduling, and record- keeping.
• To process applications for judicial appointments, employment, or other positions within the JSC.
• To communicate with you regarding your inquiries, applications, or matters related to the administration of justice.
• To send you information, updates, or official communications relevant to the JSC's functions.
• To personalize your experience on our digital platforms and improve the accessibility and efficiency of our services.
• To communicate with you about updates, changes to our services, or other relevant information.
• To conduct research and statistical analysis to inform policy and improve the administration of justice.
• To comply with legal and regulatory obligations, including reporting requirements.

Who Has Access to Your Information

We will not sell or rent your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.

We may share personal data with third parties only when necessary for the performance of our functions, in compliance with legal obligations, or with your consent. This may include:

• Other Government Agencies and Public Bodies: Where sharing is required by law or necessary for the proper administration of justice (e.g., with courts, law enforcement agencies, or other ministries).
• Service Providers: We may engage third-party service providers to assist us in carrying out our functions (e.g., IT support, data storage, audit services). These providers are contractually bound to protect your data and are only permitted to process it in accordance with our instructions and applicable data protection laws.
• Parties to Legal Proceedings: Information relevant to a case may be shared with parties involved in those proceedings as required by law.
• Auditors and Regulators: To comply with audit requirements and regulatory oversight.

We require all third parties engaged by us to respect the security of your personal data and to treat it in accordance with the law. Such third parties are only allowed to process your personal data in accordance with our instructions, and not for their own purposes.

How to Access & Control Your Personal Information

You have certain rights regarding your personal information under the Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07]. For requests to access, correct, or request erasure of your personal information, or to object to its processing, please contact the JSC by emailing privacy@jsc.org.zw. We will respond to your request within the timeframes stipulated by law.

Your Rights

Under the Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07], you have the following rights concerning your personal data:

• Right to Access: You have the right to obtain confirmation as to whether personal data concerning you is being processed, and, where that is the case, access to the personal data.
• Right to Rectification: You have the right to request the correction of inaccurate personal data concerning you
• Right to Erasure (Right to be Forgotten): You have the right to request the deletion of your personal data under certain circumstances.
• Right to Restriction of Processing: You have the right to request the restriction of processing of your personal data under certain conditions.
• Right to Data Portability: You have the right to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format and to transmit that data to another controller under certain conditions.
• Right to Object: You have the right to object to the processing of your personal data on grounds relating to your particular situation, including for direct marketing purposes.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on your consent, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.

We may need to request specific information from you to help us confirm your identity and ensure your right to access your personal data or to exercise any of your other rights. This is a security measure to ensure that personal data is not disclosed to any person who has no right to receive it. We may also contact you to ask you for further information in relation to your request to speed up our response.

International Transfer of Information

In certain circumstances, personal data collected by the JSC may be transferred to and stored at a destination outside Zimbabwe. This may occur if, for example, we utilize cloud services or engage international partners for specific functions. Whenever we transfer your personal data outside Zimbabwe, we will ensure that an adequate level of protection is afforded to it, in compliance with the Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07], by implementing appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses or relying on recognized adequacy decisions.

How Long We Keep Your Personal Data

We will retain your personal information for as long as it is necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. This duration is determined by the nature of the data, the purpose of processing, and legal obligations. Thereafter, we may retain data for longer periods for historical, statistical, or research purposes, ensuring appropriate anonymization or aggregation where feasible.

Complaints

If you have concerns about how the JSC is handling your personal data, we encourage you to contact us directly at privacy@jsc.org.zw to resolve the issue. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection authority in Zimbabwe, as established under the Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07].

Changes to This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any significant changes by posting the updated policy on our website or through other appropriate communication channels. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or require further information regarding this Privacy Policy or our data protection practices, please contact us at: privacy@zjsc.org.zw

Judicial Service Commission (JSC) of Zimbabwe

Date of Last Revision: July 30, 2025