Annual Report of the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago 2012-2013 Annual Report 2012-2013 | Page 37

The Judiciary’s efforts at modernising its infrastructure are
intended to provide for the institution’s employees and
customers an environment of physical comfort, safety and
security
The emphasis during the 2012/2013 fiscal year was on
continued refurbishment, restoration, upgrade and expansion of the court buildings in the Couva, Siparia, San
Fernando and Rio Claro Magisterial Districts; Tobago
Supreme Court; Port of Spain Hall of Justice; and the San
Fernando Family Court. Activities were also undertaken on
the project to construct Judges and Magistrates’ Housing
in Tobago. The following represents a brief status on these
projects:

Couva Magistrates’ Court - The Judiciary received
Cabinet approval in August 2013 for a reduced scope of
works for the refurbishment and expansion of the Couva
Magisterial District based on the Ministry of Justice’s
communication that a Judicial Centre will be built at
Carlsen Field. It is the intention that criminal matters will
be transferred in the first instance from the Couva Magisterial District to the said Judicial Centre, thus reducing the
need for a second court room and non-intersecting secure
circulation zones at the Couva Magistrates’ Court.
Siparia Magistrates’ Court - A project was initiated
at the Siparia Magisrates’ Court early in 2013 to upgrade
the existing building infrastructure and create additional
work space for staff. However partial structural failures in
one section of the building forced abandonment of that
area resulting in a delay in completion of the project. In the
immediate aftermath, the Judiciary undertook remedial
measures that included provision of temporary facilities for
staff and the development of new designs and tender
packages for the rehabilitation of the affected area and the
construction of new office space for staff.
San Fernando Magistrates’ Court - Design work and
costing for the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court continued
during the year at the property located on 1-3 Independence
Avenue, San Fernando. Work was also undertaken and
completed on closing a number of existing contracts that

were awarded prior to handover of the project to NIPDEC,
given that this project began with the Judiciary as the
Project Manager. At present, building and geotechnical
assessments along with preliminary designs have been
completed. The Project Manager encountered some delays
in arriving at the final design and estimated costing for the
project. Construction work is now scheduled f or
commencement in October 2013 and is expected to be
completed in June 2014.

Rio Claro Magistrate‘s Court - Having received
Cabinet approval in July 2012 for the engagement of
NIPDEC as the Project Manager for the refurbishment and
expansion of the Rio Claro Magistrate’s Court, various
consultations on the design have been undertaken. The
conceptual designs have been approved with conditions,
and a note has been prepared for the consideration of
Cabinet to seek approval for the estimated project budget.
Once approval has been obtained, it is expected that the
project will be ready to go to the tendering stage in
October, 2013.

the project and a note for Cabinet has been prepared
seeking approval for the design, finance and construction
of the Court.

Construction of Judges and Magistrates’
Housing in Tobago –The proposal for the provision
of housing for Judges and Magistrates in Tobago is
intended to create a permanent housing solution for those
officers who are temporarily assigned to work on the sister
island but who are based in Trinidad. Conceptual designs
were approved during the past year, and an estimated
budget has been developed for approval by Cabinet.

Rehabilitation of the Hall of Justice, Tobago
– For the period under review the Tobago Supreme Court
benefitted from an upgrade to its perimeter fence that
included perimeter lighting and an automated gate.

Rehabilitation of the Hall of Justice, Port of
Spain – A tender was awarded by the Central Tenders
Board for the supply, delivery, installation, and commissioning of a full load standby generator for the Hall of
Justice in April 2013. Some delays have been experienced
with the contract preparation. However, to date the contractor has been working with the Judiciary and the Ministry of
Works to plan the installation of the generator. Commissioning is expected to be completed no later than August
2014.

San Fernando Family Court – Cabinet in August
2012 gave approval for NIPDEC to undertake the refurbishment and expansion of the St Joseph’s Convent building, in
San Fernando to accommodate the initial roll out of the
Family Court. NIPDEC has now completed the costing of

Above: The Refurbished Rio Claro Magistrate’s Court Building

35

Reshaping the

Judiciary Identity