In Brief
- Judicial Support Pledged: PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar has committed her government to supporting Judiciary initiatives aimed at delivering swift, efficient and accessible justice for all citizens.
- Legislative Reforms: She highlighted several measures passed by her government, including the digitalisation of the laws of Trinidad and Tobago, the Civil Division Act, the Bail (Amendment) Act, and the Probation of Offenders (Amendment) Act.
- Regional Access: Persad-Bissessar reaffirmed support for reopening Magistrates’ Courts nationwide, stressing that access to justice ‘must not depend upon where you live.’
- Judicial Independence: She closed her message by pledging continued respect for an independent Judiciary as the new 2026–2027 Law Term begins.
By Alicia Chamely
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says her government is committed to ensuring a fast and efficient justice system accessible to all citizens, as she pledges to continue supporting the Judiciary’s initiatives aimed at improving the delivery of justice.
Persad-Bissessar pledged her government’s support in a message marking the opening of the 2026–2027 Law Term of the Supreme Court of Judicature on Wednesday.
“I wish to state unequivocally that the Executive stands ready to support initiatives that advance the delivery of swift, efficient and accessible justice to every citizen of Trinidad and Tobago,” she stated.
Persad-Bissessar stated, “Justice must never be distant from the people. It must never be beyond the reach of the ordinary citizen. It must be accessible, efficient and fair, and our citizens must have confidence that the institutions established to protect their rights will work for them.”
The Prime Minister stated that when her government took office, it “embarked upon an ambitious programme to modernise legal affairs and reform our civil and criminal justice systems.”
Discussing work done by the government, she highlighted the passing of the required legislation to digitalise the laws of Trinidad and Tobago, allowing citizens to access the laws through an online portal.
Commenting on this, she stated, “By making our laws more readily accessible, we are closing the distance between citizens and the justice system, strengthening public confidence and cultivating greater respect for the rule of law.”
Persad-Bissessar stated her government had also passed the Civil Division Act, No. 5 of 2026, to address systemic weaknesses in the justice system and improve operational efficiency.
She stated her government had also strengthened the integrity of the bail system through the Bail (Amendment) Act 2026, No. 10 of 2026, and modernised the approach to sentencing through the Probation of Offenders (Amendment) Act 2026.
Persad-Bissessar stated, “These are only a few of the legislative measures undertaken by this Government in a very short period.”
“Our commitment goes much further,” she stated. “We will continue providing the Judiciary with the resources necessary to improve efficiency and deliver justice to the people of our Republic.”
Persad-Bissessar stated her government supported the Judiciary’s decision to reopen Magistrates’ Courts throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
She stated, “Our Government has provided the requisite resources and will continue doing so, because justice must not depend upon where you live.”
“A citizen in Mayaro deserves the same access to justice and essential court services as a citizen in Port of Spain, San Fernando, Tobago or anywhere else in our Republic,” she added.
Addressing the government’s efforts to improve the justice system, she stated, “That is what meaningful reform is about—not simply changing laws on paper but improving the everyday experience of citizens who depend upon the State.”
Marking the opening of the Law Term, Persad-Bissessar stated, “As this new Law Term begins, I therefore look ahead with tremendous hope and confidence.”
“We will continue to respect and empower an independent Judiciary, recognising its indispensable role in the preservation of our democracy and the continuing evolution of our Republic,” she stated
