Calls mount in Trinidad for probe into CCJ

Aug 11, 2026 News

…lawyers demand urgent investigation into allegations surrounding court’s administration

The Assembly of Central Legal Practitioners (ACLP) is calling for an immediate investigation into concerns surrounding the administration of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), warning that the matter could undermine public confidence in the regional court if it is not addressed quickly and thoroughly.

ACLP chairman Kiel Taklalsingh made the call after reading a communication among CCJ judges reported in the Sunday Express, which he said raised serious concerns about the administration of the court and possible attempts to influence judicial decisions.

Calls mount in Trinidad for probe into CCJ

ACLP Chairman Kiel Taklalsingh

Taklalsingh said he was left with “a sense of foreboding concern” after reading the communication, which he said appeared to raise questions about the manner in which the court was being administered.

“The communication tends to demonstrate the potential for dictatorial administration of the court,” Taklalsingh said.

He added that it “perhaps demonstrates improper attempts to influence the decisions of certain judges”.

Taklalsingh said the concerns were particularly troubling because of the importance of judicial independence to the functioning of the CCJ and the wider Caribbean legal system.

“Anyone who has practised law in Trinidad and Tobago will know that Justice Jamadar is a fiercely independent judge. He is intellectually sound and, in his own right, a champion of the rule of law,” ” Taklalsingh said.

He said the concerns raised in the reported communication could not simply be allowed to remain unresolved.

Taklalsingh called on Caribbean prime ministers and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to initiate an investigation into the matters raised.

“Having seen and read what has been written, I have to call upon the Prime Ministers of the Caribbean and Caricom as a whole to launch an immediate investigation into these matters,” he said.

He said any investigation should be conducted promptly, thoroughly and transparently to help restore confidence in the court.

Taklalsingh said the CCJ had worked over the years to build public trust and had the potential to become the final or apex court for Caribbean territories.

He warned that the concerns now being raised could undermine that progress if they were not properly addressed.

“The unfortunate thing is that the Caribbean Court of Justice has been doing good work to inspire trust and confidence among Caribbean people in the court, to eventually become the final or apex court for all Caribbean territories,” he said.

Taklalsingh said allowing the matter to remain unresolved could have consequences beyond the immediate concerns involving the court.

“If this problem is not dealt with thoroughly, if it is allowed to fester, unfortunately all of the hard work that the CCJ has done in the past will go to waste,” he said. (Trinidad Express)

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ACLP, Caribbean Court of Justice, court’s administration

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