Modern Court Environments
Multiple Court Locations
To facilitate greater access to justice by all citizens, the FCD has established multiple court locations across Trinidad and Tobago. The Children Court has opened its doors in two locations in Trinidad – St. Clair, Port of Spain and Fyzabad, and one location at the Supreme Court, Tobago. One Family Court location has been established in Port of Spain and one location in Scarborough, Tobago. Plans are underway to open another location in south Trinidad.
Specially Designed Court Environments
The Courts of the Family and Children Division (FCD) were designed to provide a more comfortable and less intimidating environment for all parties involved. Certain matters are heard in Hearing Rooms which create an atmosphere for greater discussion and leaves parties with a sense that their voices can and have been heard. Child and Youth Waiting Rooms provide a safe and youth-friendly environment for children who are waiting for their matters to be heard, and children whose parents are at Court.
One-Stop-Shop Court Systems
The FCD has brought together a team of qualified professionals, including judicial officers, social workers, psychologists, family mediators, programme facilitators, court administration personnel and other experts from multiple fields into a single unified Division. Each Court also accommodates organisations providing wrap-around services including Police Officers, Children’s Authority personnel, Child Probations Officers and Duty Counsel attached to the Legal Aid and Advisory Authority. These professionals all work together to provide Court customers with the help they need to resolve conflict and improve their social functioning.
Automated Court Services
Court hearings may be conducted by telephone, video conference or other electronic means. Efforts are also being made to automate court services where possible, such as the payment of maintenance.
Automated and Timely Court Processes
Each Court is fully computerized. Automated case management information systems improve the speed and efficiency of dealing with routine operations associated with filing, processing and retrieving case information. Digital voice writing using voice transcription software increases efficiency in the creation of electronic court records.
Fair and Reliable Judicial Process
There are numerous court orders which can be issued to help customers resolve conflict and improve their social functioning. These include psychological assessments, family and individual counselling, mediation and a range of programmes targeting issues such as domestic violence, parenting and drug abuse.
Specialised Staff
To cater to the unique needs of families and children in Trinidad and Tobago, the FCD is fully staff with over 500 qualified professionals who are specially trained to operate in a child and family sensitive, rehabilitative environment.
Responsive Customer Education and Service
For some, coming to Court for the first time may seem stressful and, in some cases, confusing. For this reason, the importance of proactive customer education and customer service cannot be overstated. To foster cooperation between the Court and its customers, and to build public trust and confidence in the court process, the FCD works to ensure that each person coming to Court fully understands the process. Upon entering Court, customers are greeted by Court Services Officers who provide the information and support needed for easy navigation through the court system. Once a court matter begins, customers are also guided to an ‘Intake Conference’ where a court representative explains the court process and provides guidance on the next steps in the case.