Statutory Boards, Committees and Other Bodies
The Environmental Commission of Trinidad & Tobago
The Environmental Commission’s role pursuant to the EM Act is effectively that of a specialist environmental court which was established in order to enforce the provisions of the Act and to adjudicate on disputes that arise with respect to the decisions, actions and inactions of the EMA under the Act. The mandate of the Environmental Commission, pursuant to the EM Act is inter-alia:
-
To hear and determine appeals from decisions or actions of the Authority. Persons may challenge the EMA’s findings, decisions and actions by appealing to the Commission.
-
To hear and determine applications by the EMA for enforcement of Consent Agreements. The consent agreement contains, among other things, an admission of breach by the party of an environmental requirement under the Act and an agreement to rectify the breach and to pay the necessary compensation to the Authority.
-
To hear and determine applications made by the EMA for injunctive relief or restraining orders to prohibit the continued violation of an environmental requirement or prevent the activity which leads to the violation.
-
To determine the amount of civil assessment that is compensated to the EMA for damage and loss incurred as a result of the violation of an environmental requirement.
-
To hear and determine appeals from decisions of the EMA to refuse to grant Certificate of Environmental Clearances (CEC’s) or from conditions imposed on CEC’s.
-
To hear and determine applications for a deferment of a decision of the EMA, made under sections 25 and 41 of the Environmental Management Act, to designate environmentally sensitive areas and environmentally sensitive species;
-
To hear and determine appeals from designations of environmentally sensitive areas or environmentally sensitive species by the EMA.
-
To hear and determine complaints that are brought by private persons (the Applicant) against any other person (the Respondent) on the basis that the Respondent has violated environmental requirements that are specified in the EM Act. This is known as a Direct Private Party Action. It is the only type of action before the Commission that does not involve the EMA as a Party since it involves one private individual bringing an action against another individual or institution.
Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC)
The Equal Opportunity Commission was established by Section 26(1) of the Equal Opportunity Act 2000, for the purpose of exercising the jurisdiction conferred upon it by that Act. The Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) was appointed on the 21st April, 2008 with a mandate to work towards the elimination of discrimination and the promotion of equality and good relations between persons of different statuses.
The Equal Opportunity Act seeks to protect citizens against discrimination as it relates to employment, education, the provision of goods and services and the provision of accommodation. Under the Act, citizens are entitled to equality and fair treatment for all, despite different racial, ethnic, religious, marital and gender backgrounds. Further, all persons are entitled to equal treatment despite geographical origin or physical disabilities.
The Equal Opportunity Act seeks to protect citizens against discrimination as it relates to employment, education, the provision of goods and services and the provision of accommodation. Under the Act, citizens are entitled to equality and fair treatment for all, despite different racial, ethnic, religious, marital and gender backgrounds. Further, all persons are entitled to equal treatment despite geographical origin or physical disabilities.
Our Core Functions
-
To secure effective legislative and regulatory framework for equality and human rights.
-
To build a society without prejudice, promote good relations, and foster a vibrant equality and human rights culture.
-
To promote understanding and awareness of rights and duties and deliver timely and accurate advice and guidance to individuals and employers.
-
To build an authoritative and responsive organisation.
Who Do We Serve?
Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago including:
-
-
Employees
-
Students or Group of Persons,
-
Organisations,
-
Employers or Service Providers
For more information on the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC), please email communications@eoc.gov.tt , visit our website https://equalopportunity.gov.tt/ or Call 627-8173 and 627-3193.
Equal Opportunity Tribunal (EOT)
حدث خطأ غير متوقع.
Legal Aid and Advisory Authority
The Legal Aid and Advisory Authority (LAAA) is mandated to make legal aid and advice in Trinidad and Tobago readily available for persons of small or moderate means. To enable the cost of legal aid or advice granted to persons to be defrayed wholly or partly out of moneys provided by Parliament, and for purposes connected thereto. This is the legislative mandate as set out in the Legal Aid and Advice Act, Chapter 7:07.
Our Core Functions
- The Legal Aid and Advisory Authority (LAAA) is mandated to make legal aid and advice in Trinidad and Tobago readily available for persons of small or moderate means. To enable the cost of legal aid or advice granted to persons to be defrayed wholly or partly out of moneys provided by Parliament, and for purposes connected thereto. This is the legislative mandate as set out in the Legal Aid and Advice Act, Chapter 7:07. Providing legal representation in criminal and civil matters for eligible persons. This is done through the Public Defenders’ Department (criminal matters) and the Civil Legal Department (civil matters). Legal representation is also facilitated through Attorneys in private practice who register on legal Aid’s Panel of Attorneys.
Our Core Functions
Managing Duty Counsel services for adults detained for capital offences or minors for all offences.
Conducting public legal education and outreach initiatives.
Liaising with the Judiciary, law enforcement, and other justice sector partners to support fair and timely access to legal services.
Who Do We Serve?
-
Members of the public who cannot afford private legal representation or advice.
-
The Judiciary and the Courts of Trinidad and Tobago.
-
The Ministry of Justice and other justice-sector agencies.
-
The Law Association of Trinidad & Tobago.
-
Attorneys-at-law and legal practitioners.
-
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS)
-
The Trinidad and Tobago Prisons Service (TTPrS)
-
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)
For more information on the Legal Aid and Advisory Authority, please call us at (868) 638-5222, email info@laaa.gov.tt or visit our website https://laaa.org.tt/
Providing legal advice and guidance to the public.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
حدث خطأ غير متوقع.
Tax Appeal Board
حدث خطأ غير متوقع.
Advisory Committee on the Power of Pardon (Mercy Committee)
The Advisory Committee on the Power of Pardon, also known as the Mercy Committee was established under Section 88 of the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (Act 4 of 1976). Its purpose is to advise the President on the prerogative of mercy, a discretionary executive power possessed by the head of state.
The Committee is chaired by the Minister of Justice who receives recommendations on a case by case basis at monthly meetings. Inclusive of the Minister; the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecution make up the three ex officio committee members. Additionally, four non-ex officio members are appointed by the President after consultation with the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition.
The Committee is given organizational support by a Secretariat which comprises both administrative and legal professionals. Persons seeking clemency should forward their application in the form of a letter, “Request for Presidential Pardon” to the Ministry of Justice (See Services tab for more). The Committee makes recommendations to the Minister, who can accept or reject this advice. The Minister advises the President, who then may exercise the Power of Pardon.
For more information on the Advisory Committee on the Power of Pardon, please email ACPP@gov.tt or Call 223-2452 Ext 3535,3548.
Police Complaints Authority (PCA)
حدث خطأ غير متوقع.
(function () { function findTabLinkById(tabId) { // find the tab container, then a link/button that targets the pane id var container = document.querySelector('.lfr-layout-structure-item-basic-component-tabs'); if (!container) return null; // common cases: <a href="#id"> or <button data-target="#id"> or <button aria-controls="id"> var a = container.querySelector('a[href="#' + tabId + '"]'); if (a) return a; var btn = container.querySelector('button[data-target="#' + tabId + '"], button[aria-controls="' + tabId + '"]'); return btn; } function activateTab(tabId) { var link = findTabLinkById(tabId); if (!link) return; // If using native anchor links, click will activate; for Bootstrap/Clay, click usually works too. link.click(); // As a fallback, add active classes manually (generic): try { var container = document.querySelector('.lfr-layout-structure-item-basic-component-tabs'); var activeClassItems = container.querySelectorAll('.nav-link, .tab-item'); activeClassItems.forEach(function (el) { el.classList.remove('active', 'show'); }); link.classList.add('active'); var pane = document.getElementById(tabId); if (pane) { var panes = container.querySelectorAll('.tab-pane, .tab-panel'); panes.forEach(function (p) { p.classList.remove('active', 'show'); }); pane.classList.add('active', 'show'); } } catch (e) {} } function getRequestedTabId() { if (location.hash) return location.hash.slice(1); try { var params = new URLSearchParams(location.search); return params.get('tab'); } catch (e) { return null; } } function applyFromUrl() { var id = getRequestedTabId(); if (id) activateTab(id); } document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', applyFromUrl); window.addEventListener('hashchange', applyFromUrl); // Optional: update URL when user changes tabs document.addEventListener('click', function (e) { var container = e.target.closest('.lfr-layout-structure-item-basic-component-tabs'); if (!container) return; var target = e.target.closest('a[href^="#"], button[data-target], button[aria-controls]'); if (!target) return; var id = null; if (target.getAttribute('href') && target.getAttribute('href').startsWith('#')) { id = target.getAttribute('href').slice(1); } else if (target.dataset.target && target.dataset.target.startsWith('#')) { id = target.dataset.target.slice(1); } else if (target.getAttribute('aria-controls')) { id = target.getAttribute('aria-controls'); } if (!id) return; try { var url = new URL(location.href); url.hash = ''; // prefer query param to avoid default fragment navigation if desired url.searchParams.set('tab', id); history.replaceState(null, '', url.toString()); } catch (err) {} }); })(); // selected tab does not show when clicked from dropdown menus, // reload page once to ensure selected tab is shown if(window.location.href.substr(-41) !== "/statutory-boards-committees-other-bodies") { if(window.location.href.substr(-6) !== "&rel=1") { window.location = window.location.href + "&rel=1"; } } //
Copyright © 2026. All rights reserved.