The Judiciary has announced that most Magistrates’ Courts will transition to in-person hearings from September 1st, 2026.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Judiciary said the return to in-person hearings follows its ongoing work to assess and improve court facilities across Trinidad and Tobago.
It noted that in recent months, Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh visited various court facilities across the country, meeting with court staff and reviewing the condition, functionality and accessibility of each building. The visits formed part of a nationwide assessment aimed at identifying areas for improvement and ensuring court facilities meet the needs of court users, staff and judicial officers.
The Chief Justice said the return to in-person hearings must be supported by court facilities that are safe, functional and accessible.
“As we return to wider in-person hearings, it is important that our court facilities are ready to meet the needs of everyone who uses them. Our visits across the country have given us an opportunity to see the challenges firsthand, listen to our staff, and identify areas that require attention. We are committed to improving the court environment and ensuring that our facilities support the effective delivery of justice.”
The Judiciary also said the Port of Spain District Court and the Scarborough District Court will be exempt from in-person hearings in September and will continue under their current arrangements for now. Both are expected to return to in-person hearings in 2027.
It also said the resumption of in-person hearings in the Magistrates’ Courts will be phased in consultation with all stakeholders.
Fifteen Criminal High Courts will also be available for in-person hearings from September 1st, 2026. These include:
Port of Spain: 11 courts
Princes Town Judicial Centre: 3 courts
Tobago High Court: 1 court
The Judiciary said it remains committed to the appropriate use of technology in court proceedings, including hybrid hearings where appropriate. Masters’ Courts will therefore continue to operate under a hybrid arrangement temporarily, while specific administrative arrangements will be managed at the divisional level.