|
I am happy and proud to introduce this first Annual Report of the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago.
This is intended to be the first of a series of annual reports which will provide the public of Trinidad and Tobago with fairly detailed information, by way of both narrative and statistical tables, about the operation of the Judiciary.
This is information which I consider the public is entitled to have and which former Chief Justices and I attempted to provide in the course of our addresses at the Opening of Term in past years. I have realised, however, that the address at the Opening of Term is an inadequate medium for this purpose and attempts to use it in this way, inevitably led either to the delivery of an unduly long speech or to the omission of relevant information – or more commonly, to both. As a result, I have entertained for some time the idea of publishing a written report, but this is the first year that the Judiciary has actually been able to produce one. By calling it an annual report, we have undertaken for ourselves and those who follow, a commitment to publish one in every future year.
I would like to acknowledge that the entire credit for the production of this report must go to a number of senior members of the Department of Court Administration who worked extremely hard to produce it in difficult circumstances and within a short time-frame. It would be invidious to mention some and tedious to mention all, but though anonymously, I want to thank them for their contribution. I myself performed an editorial function in relation to the report and so I accept responsibility for any shortcomings.
We would be happy to receive any suggestions as to how the report might be improved next year and what further information should be provided in it.
M.A. de la Bastide
Chief Justice