Department of Court Administration

The Department of Court Administration provides the specialist staff needed to administer the Courts. It operates as an extension of the Judge’s mandate for managing the Courts and their cases under the direction of the Chief Justice.

Font Size
Print
   

Building, Plant & Equipment Unit

Department Profile

The Building Plant and Equipment Unit is responsible for the development and implementation of plans for the procurement and maintenance of all court buildings, plant and equipment of the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago.

The creation of the unit followed a Judicial Sector Reform Plan in 1997 which identified the need for the employment of a Building Plant and Equipment Manager to co-ordinate the maintenance of all the physical facilities used by the Judiciary and to provide technical expertise in the planning of any new court facilities. That officer assumed duties in 2001 and proceeded to produce a strategic plan which included the formation of the unit.

The BPEU mission commits it to working toward the elimination of delays in the administration of justice due to the partial or total failure of infrastructure and janitorial elements in court buildings while improving the physical environment provided for users in both new and existing buildings. Since its formation, the BPEU has been configured to provide services to users in 14 magistrates court buildings in 12 districts across the country, three Supreme Court buildings (the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain, the San Fernando Supreme Court and the Hall of Justice in Tobago) three annexe of the Department of Court Administration, and three residence including that of the Chief Justice and for Judges on assignment to Tobago.

The Unit’s activities since its inception have included improvement works and refurbishment and customisation of buildings to accommodate courts and to improve the physical environment for both staff of the Judiciary and members of the public who seek access to the services of the Judiciary. In pursuing g its objectives, the Unit draws on the concerns and experience of a range of stakeholders – the Police and Prisons Service, the Law Association, the Criminal Bar, Probation Services and the Public Services Association on behalf of the Judiciary staff – who meet at the level of a Court Building Users’ Forum to discuss and resolve building issues as they impact on their operations as Justice sector partners.