Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC says the Government is committed to supporting measures aimed at making justice faster, more efficient and more accessible to citizens.
In a statement following the Commemoration of the Opening of the 2026–2027 Law Term, Mrs Persad-Bissessar said the Executive is prepared to work with the Judiciary to strengthen the administration and delivery of justice.
“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.”
Noting that over the years too many State systems had become stagnant, outdated or were not functioning as effectively as citizens deserved, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar reminded citizens that the Government has moved to modernise the country’s justice system since taking office in April 2025.
“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.”
The Prime Minister pointed to the Civil Division Act, No. 5 of 2026, which she said was aimed at addressing systemic weaknesses in the administration of civil justice, including staffing and administrative challenges.
“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.”
Mrs Persad-Bissessar also highlighted the Bail (Amendment) Act 2026, No. 10 of 2026, which introduced Bail Source Hearings to allow the courts to determine whether cash or real property being used to post or secure bail was obtained through legitimate means. She said the measure was part of the Government’s wider efforts to tackle organised crime and money laundering.
“The justice system must never become an avenue through which the proceeds of criminal activity can be legitimised.”
The Prime Minister also pointed to changes to probation legislation, saying the Probation of Offenders (Amendment) Act 2026 modernised legislation dating back to 1947 and expanded the Judiciary’s ability to use split sentencing.
She said the approach, which can combine incarceration with supervised probation, electronic monitoring, curfews, community service and vocational training, would allow for greater accountability while supporting rehabilitation.
“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.”
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar also welcomed the Judiciary’s decision to reopen Magistrates’ Courts throughout Trinidad and Tobago, saying the Government had provided the necessary resources.
She said access to justice should not depend on where a person lives.
“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.”
The Prime Minister also used the opening of the Law Term to address school violence, noting that the new school term had begun, with all 777 schools opening their doors on Monday.
She said the overwhelming majority of students were disciplined, respectful and eager to learn and should be able to do so in safe environments.
She said the Government would continue taking decisive action against school violence and would work with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and other stakeholders where necessary.
“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.”
PM Persad-Bissessar said the Government’s broader objective was to strengthen and modernise the country’s institutions and restore confidence in the rule of law.
She said the Government would continue to respect and empower an independent Judiciary while working towards safer communities and stronger institutions.
“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.”