Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh Outlines Reforms to Cut Court Delays

Trinidad and Tobago’s Judiciary held consultations with judges, lawyers and justice-sector stakeholders on reforms to improve family court administration and speed up cases under the Family Proceedings Rules 1998. Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh said the aim is fairer, more efficient service, with children’s welfare kept as the first priority in family proceedings.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Judiciary is exploring a mobile court system that would send magistrates, clerks and police to communities such as Toco, Cedros, Moruga, Charlotteville and Roxborough so residents can have cases heard closer to home. Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh said the plan would reduce travel burdens and improve access to justice without building permanent courts in low-volume areas.

Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh said he hopes Trinidad and Tobago’s criminal cases can eventually be resolved within one to three years, and months for child and minor traffic matters. He said the Judiciary is introducing performance standards, training, stakeholder meetings and facility upgrades to improve efficiency, while noting progress has been made but more work is needed.

Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh says the Judiciary is focusing on cutting court backlogs through upgraded facilities, tighter case management and expanded livestreaming of selected hearings. He said priority works include courts in San Fernando, Tobago, O’Meara and Arouca, while older criminal cases and delayed matters are being tracked more closely to speed resolution and improve public access.