A Tribute to the Late Mme Justice Monica Barnes (Retired)

13 June 2022

The Judiciary mourns the passing of retired Supreme Court Judge Mme Justice Monica Barnes. Justice Barnes spent her life in service to the people of Trinidad and Tobago and has left a rich legacy with much to be celebrated. Hers was a distinguished career across the justice sector. Justice Barnes was undoubtedly a trailblazer, often distinguished with many notable achievements.

In 1966, Justice Barnes was admitted to the Bar of Trinidad and Tobago where she embarked on an illustrious career in the public service. Justice Barnes was elevated to the Supreme Court bench in 1995 where she served until 2000. Justice Barnes’ expertise, legal acumen, and professionalism were well respected by her peers. Her contributions intersected both the private and public arena where she served on government-appointed bodies and non-state capacities. Positions/activities included:

• The Commission on the Status of Women;
• The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Company Law Task Force;
• The CARICOM Standards Committee;
• Assisted with the re-organisation of the University of the West Indies;
• Member of the Law Reform Commission and Law Revision Commission;
• Deputy Chairman of the Integrity Commission;
• Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the St Hilary’s Foundation from 1995-2016;
• The Soroptomist Club, St Augustine (First President)

Justice Barnes was a graduate of the College of Law, London England, from the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, England. She also attended the Institute of International Relations, University of the West Indies, majoring in Diplomacy. The late Judge was also a Course Director at the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS) and Mediator in Family Matters, Legal Aid Clinic, at the HWLS. Justice Barnes was a legal draughtsman of great renown and also taught legal drafting at the Hugh Wooding Law School. Many members of the Trinidad and Tobago bench, and other regional benches, were beneficiaries of her tutelage. In addition, she was a mentor to many young persons at the Bar.

The late Justice Barnes was one of the first two women in Trinidad and Tobago to be admitted to the Inner Bar and was made Senior Counsel in 1979. She also had a distinguished career as Trinidad and Tobago’s Chief Parliamentary Counsel. At the Tax Appeal Board, she was the first woman appointed as Chairman, serving from 1985 for a number of years. The distinguished former Judge and proud Hilarian, was the only female member appointed to the Constitution Commission tasked with reviewing the constitution of Trinidad and Tobago to make recommendations for its reform. She was honoured by the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago in 2013 for her contribution to the Justice Sector over the years.

Our loss is collective as her contributions extended beyond the bench and delved into many other areas of public life where she distinguished herself. We at the Judiciary will always remember Mme Justice Monica Barnes as a stalwart, a kind and understanding ear, a woman of class and bearing, a gentlewoman, a dedicated Hilarian, and an outstanding daughter of the soil.

We extend our deepest sympathies to her family, friends, and former colleagues.

 May her soul rest in eternal peace.