The Legal Aid & Advisory Authority (LAAA) celebrated 50 years of service to the people of Trinidad and Tobago on Friday, September 25, 2026, with an anniversary event held under the theme, “Where We Were, Look At Us Now: 50 Years of Legal Excellence: A Celebration.”
The event brought together the Honourable Chief Justice, Executive Members of the Ministry of Justice, the Legal Aid & Advisory Authority’s Board, Management, current and former staff, specially invited guests and representatives of the justice sector to mark the significant milestone and, in particular, recognise employees who have dedicated many years of service to the organisation.
Delivering the feature address, the Honourable Devesh Maharaj, Minister of Justice and Minister in the Office of the Attorney General, highlighted the important role of the Authority in ensuring that persons, particularly those who may not be able to afford private legal services, can access legal advice and representation.
“The Authority grew because people gave their time and their commitment to it. It grew because generations of staff understood the importance of the service they were providing,” the Minister stated.
Minister Maharaj noted that over its 50-year history, the LAAA has grown from an organisation with a small complement of attorneys into an Authority with offices in Port of Spain, Arima, Chaguanas, San Fernando and Tobago stating, “Without you, the Authority would not have grown from an organisation with a few attorneys into an organisation with five offices serving communities across Trinidad and Tobago.”
The Director/Chairman of the Legal Aid & Advisory Authority, Ms. Renuka Rambhajan during her remarks also celebrated this significant milestone stating, “To serve and work with the Legal Aid & Advisory Authority Family is a privilege and blessing,” emphasising the importance of staff giving of themselves to assist persons who require legal assistance.
The celebration included the presentation of long-service awards to staff members in recognition of their years of dedication and contribution to the Authority as well as key-figures who served the Authority for a number of years.
As the LAAA enters its next 50 years, the Ministry of Justice and the Authority remain committed to improving access to legal services and ensuring that justice remains accessible to the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
