Public Notice - Emergency Powers Public Tribunal

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MEDIA RELEASE
Immediate: November 30, 2011

Judiciary of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Public Notice
Emergency Powers Public Tribunal

In order to correct any information gap that may have developed since the appointment of the Review Tribunal which the Honourable the Chief Justice established on August 24, 2011, under the provisions of the State of Emergency, the Judiciary wishes to re-issue the following details, initially disseminated as a news release to the national media on August 26, 2011, and as a public notice which was displayed prominently in two of the daily newspapers between September 1-4, 2011:

"The Review Tribunal which has been established under the State of Emergency in Trinidad and Tobago wishes to advise that it is now ready to review the cases of persons who have been detained by virtue of the Emergency Powers Regulations 2011. The Tribunal's Secretariat has been established at the Hall of Justice, Knox Street, Port of Spain, where it will also conduct its sittings.

The Review Tribunal, which is provided for by Section 11 (1) of the Constitution, was appointed by the Honourable the Chief justice, Mr Justice Ivor Archie, following the declaration of a State of Emergency in Trinidad and Tobago on August 21, 2011. The Tribunal is under the Chairmanship of Mr Gilbert Peterson, SC, with Ms Deborah Peake SC, and Mr Rajmanlal Joseph as Members. Mr Paul Isaac has been appointed Secretary.

The Review Tribunal wishes to remind the national community that anyone who has been detained under the Emergency Powers Regulation 2011 or any Act or Regulations made under Section 7 of the Constitution, has the right to have his or her case reviewed.

The review will be conducted following a written request from a detainee. That request must be addressed to the Secretary of the Review Tribunal, and signed either by the detainee or his or her representative. The written request should be lodged at the Tribunal's Secretariat at the Hall of Justice on Knox Street, Port of Spain, or any of the following locations:

• The Registry of the Supreme Court, Hall of Justice, Knox Street, Port of Spain
• The Sub-Registry of the Supreme Court, San Fernando
• The Sub-Registry of the Supreme Court, Tobago

Persons wishing to lodge documents at any of these locations outside of normal business hours can receive guidance on doing so by calling the Tribunal's Secretary on Telephone Number 396 1682, or Telephone Numbers at the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain: 623 2416/7 Extension 2243 or 2244.

Once a written request has been received from a detainee, the Review Tribunal's Secretary will promptly notify the Minister of National Security who will forthwith furnish the Tribunal with the grounds upon which the person was detained and any other particulars the Minister may think fit, while having due regard to the public interest.

The Tribunal will then furnish the detainee with the grounds received from the Minister of National Security, as well as notice of the time and place at which the review will be held. The Review Tribunal reserves the right to conduct its hearings in camera.

The detainee will be entitled to present his case against detention to the Tribunal either in person or through a legal representative.

For further information kindly contact:

Mr. Paul Isaac, Secretary, Review Tribunal
Telephone: 396 1682
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For any further queries or clarification relative to the above, kindly contact:

Jones P. Madeira
Court Protocol and Information Manager
Telephone: (Mobile) 473 8158 (Office) 627 9744
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