11/09/2026
MESSAGE TO THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY ON THE COMMEMORATION OF THE OPENING OF THE 2026–2027 LAW TERM OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE
As we commemorate the opening of the 2026–2027 Law Term, we do so with renewed hope, determination and confidence in the future of justice in Trinidad and Tobago.
I listened closely to the address delivered by the Honourable Chief Justice of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh, and to the vision he outlined for the administration and delivery of justice to the people of our Republic.
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.
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.
On this important occasion, I also wish to remind our nation of the fundamental principles enshrined in our Constitution - the Supreme Law of Trinidad and Tobago.
Its Preamble declares, inter alia:
“Whereas the people of Trinidad and Tobago:
a) Have affirmed that the nation of Trinidad and Tobago is founded upon principles that acknowledge the supremacy of God, faith in the fundamental human rights and freedom, the position of the family, in a society of free men, and free institutions, the dignity of the human person, and the equal and inalienable rights with which all members of the human family are endowed by their Creator.”
And further:
d) “Recognize that man and institution remain free, only when freedom is founded upon respect for the moral and spiritual values, and the rule of law.”
These are not merely words written into our Constitution.
They represent the ideals upon which our Republic stands. They speak to who we are as a people and to the kind of nation we must continually strive to build—a nation grounded in freedom, dignity, equality, justice and respect for the rule of law.
These noble ideals form the philosophical and legal foundation of our Constitution, and they are the same ideals which guide my personal philosophy and the work of this Government.
When we assumed office in April 2025, we recognised that too many of our systems had become stagnant, outdated or simply were not working as effectively as our citizens deserved.
We did not waste time. We got to work.
Since then, we have been engaging stakeholders throughout the justice system to identify the obstacles to efficiency and improve the delivery of services to our citizens.
We embarked upon an ambitious programme to modernise Legal Affairs and reform our civil and criminal justice systems.
And in a remarkably short period, we have begun delivering meaningful change.
First, we have moved decisively to bring the laws of Trinidad and Tobago into the digital age.
We passed the requisite legislation to facilitate the digitisation of our nation's laws so that citizens will be able, at the touch of a button, to access the laws of Trinidad and Tobago through a single portal.
This is more than technological progress.
It is the democratisation of the law.
The law belongs to the people, and the people must be able to find it, understand it and have confidence in it.
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.
Second, we acted to modernise the administration of civil justice.
For years, the Judiciary had called upon the Executive to enact the legislation necessary to restructure civil justice through the creation of a dedicated Civil Division.
Our Government listened - and we acted.
We passed the Civil Division Act, No. 5 of 2026.
This legislation addresses systemic weaknesses, including critical staffing and administrative challenges, with the objective of restoring and strengthening public confidence in the justice system.
It is intended to tackle delays and backlogs, establish specialised subdivisions and improve operational efficiency.
The Judiciary spoke. We listened. And we acted.
That is how institutions of the State should work together in service of the people.
Third, we strengthened the integrity of our bail system and our national fight against serious and organised crime.
Through the Bail (Amendment) Act 2026, No. 10 of 2026, we introduced Bail Source Hearings, empowering the courts to determine whether cash or real property being used to post or secure bail has been derived from legitimate means.
The justice system must never become an avenue through which the proceeds of criminal activity can be legitimised.
By strengthening judicial oversight, increasing transparency and safeguarding the integrity of the bail process, this legislation supports our wider national effort against organised crime, money laundering and other serious criminal activity.
Fourth, we have modernised our approach to sentencing and rehabilitation.
Through the Probation of Offenders (Amendment) Act 2026, we modernised legislation dating back to 1947 and provided greater scope for the Judiciary to utilise split sentencing.
By combining periods of incarceration with supervised probation in the community—including electronic monitoring, curfews, community service and vocational training—we are strengthening accountability while creating genuine opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration.
Justice must protect society and punish wrongdoing, but a modern justice system must also recognise that where rehabilitation is possible, people should have a meaningful opportunity to rebuild their lives and become productive members of society.
These are only a few of the legislative measures undertaken by this Government in a very short period.
Our commitment goes much further.
We will continue providing the Judiciary with the resources necessary to improve efficiency and deliver justice to the people of our Republic.
We also welcome the Judiciary's decision, as outlined by the Honourable Chief Justice, to reopen Magistrates’ Courts throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
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.
Consider the burden previously placed upon citizens in Mayaro who needed access to a probation officer dealing with their cases.
They could be required to travel all the way to San Fernando because probation officers no longer had access to designated working spaces within Magistrates’ Courts in their respective jurisdictions.
That was inefficient. It was burdensome. And it needed to change.
Following meetings involving the Probation Division and the Judiciary, this Government has ensured that, with the reopening of these Magistrates’ Courts, probation officers can once again resume operations within the respective courts in their areas.
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.
As we commemorate the opening of the Law Term, this week also marked another important beginning for our nation—the opening of the new school term.
About 777 schools successfully opened their doors on Monday to welcome our nation's children.
Our schools are places of learning, opportunity and hope. They are where dreams are nurtured and where the future of Trinidad and Tobago is being shaped every single day.
The overwhelming majority of our students are disciplined, respectful and eager to learn, grow and achieve their fullest potential.
They deserve classrooms where they feel safe. They deserve teachers who can teach without fear or intimidation.
And they deserve the opportunity to pursue their education without violence or disruption.
Our Government will therefore continue taking decisive steps to eradicate the scourge of school violence from our places of learning.
We will not allow the misconduct of a small minority to destroy the opportunities of the overwhelming majority of our young people who want to learn and succeed.
Where necessary, we will continue working with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and all relevant stakeholders to protect our students, teachers and school communities.
Our children represent the future of this nation, and we will protect that future.
As this new Law Term begins, I therefore look ahead with tremendous hope and confidence.
We are rebuilding.
We are modernising.
We are strengthening our institutions.
And we are restoring confidence in the rule of law.
My Government will leave no stone unturned in our determination to build a Trinidad and Tobago in which every citizen can live safely, securely and prosperously.
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.
The work before us is significant, but so too is our determination.
Together, we can build a justice system that is faster, stronger, more accessible and more responsive to the needs of our people.
Together, we can strengthen respect for law and order.
Together, we can create safer communities, stronger institutions and greater opportunities for our children.
And together, with faith in God, faith in our institutions and faith in each other, we will continue building the Trinidad and Tobago that our people deserve - a nation of justice, security, opportunity and hope.
May God bless our Judiciary.
May God bless all those who serve in the administration of justice.
And may God continue to bless our beloved Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
END.
