About Us

The Ministry of Justice leads Trinidad and Tobago’s policy to strengthen the rule of law, modernize justice services, deliver timely access to justice, and protect citizens’ rights. The Ministry coordinates policy, legislative reform and programmes across the criminal justice landscape, including rehabilitation, legal aid, alternative dispute resolution and court infrastructure. Working closely with independent Statutory Bodies and the Judiciary the Ministry strives to ensure an efficient, transparent and accessible justice system.

Our Mandate:

The Ministry of Justice is responsible for administering and transforming key components of the justice system in Trinidad and Tobago. As such, the Ministry of Justice is tasked with the mandate to initiate the transformation of the criminal justice system. The objective of this transformation is to ensure the timely delivery of criminal justice and the execution of a paradigm shift from a retributive approach to criminal justice, to a model of restorative justice as the primary portal of addressing offender management and the incidence of recidivism.

Our Executives

The Minister of Justice

The Honourable Devesh Maharaj

The Honourable Devesh Maharaj, MP, is a distinguished attorney-at-law and public servant dedicated to the advancement of justice and legal reform in Trinidad and Tobago. He currently serves as the Minister of Justice and Minister in the Office of the Attorney General, following his election as the Member of Parliament for Aranguez/St. Joseph in the 13th Republican Parliament (2025). A legal practitioner with nearly three decades of experience, Minister Maharaj was called to the Bar in 1995. He founded and led the successful private practice Devesh Maharaj and Associates, where he built a prominent reputation for legal excellence and advocacy.

His academic foundation in the law was laid at the University of the West Indies (St. Augustine and Cave Hill campuses), followed by professional legal training at the Hugh Wooding Law School.

Beyond his legal career, Minister Maharaj is deeply rooted in community service and social development. He has served as the Chairman of the International "Love All Serve All" Initiative, spearheading humanitarian efforts including daily meal distribution for the homeless in Port of Spain.

He has also served as Advisor to President Louis Nurse of the Trinidad and Tobago 1st Capital Committee, based in his Constituency in St. Joseph. An avid lover of the steelpan, Mr. Maharaj also served as Advisor to the Casablanca Steel Orchestra, supporting the preservation of national culture.

Minister Maharaj is a proud alumnus of Presentation College, San Fernando, San Fernando Boys RC, and Lochmaben RC School, Cedros. His transition into executive office reflects his lifelong commitment to serving the people of Trinidad and Tobago, blending his expansive legal expertise with compassionate community leadership.

Permanent Secretaries

Trudy Lewis

Permanent Secretary (Ag) Trudy Lewis has served for 25 years in the Public Service. She previously served as Deputy Permanent Secretary (DPS), Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs from 2023 to 2025. As DPS, Ms. Lewis had oversight of various portfolios including Human Resources, Procurement, General Administration, Corporate Communications and Facilities Management.

In her tenure at the Ministry of Trade and Industry she participated and led negotiations on partial scope trade negotiations with Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador and Chile. Ms. Lewis has a MSc. degree in International Trade Policy (within distinction) from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus and a BSc. degree in Economics from the St. Augustine campus.

Ayanna Gaspard-Clarke

Permanent Secretary (Ag) Ayanna Gaspard-Clarke brings more than 20 years of experience in public policy, research, project management, monitoring and evaluation, and procurement. She currently provides strategic leadership and oversight for Programmes and Projects, Corporate Communications and General Administration, ensuring the effective delivery of services and the advancement of the organisation’s strategic objectives.

Permanent Secretary

An economist by training, Ms. Lewis has spent 22 years at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, starting as an Economist I in 2000 and succeeding as Assistant Director, Trade Promotion and Development (Ag) in the Trade Directorate. During that time, she honed her skills in disciplines related to trade in goods and services, CARICOM and World Trade Organization issues and trade negotiations. In her tenure at the Ministry of Trade and Industry she participated and led negotiations on partial scope trade negotiations with Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador and Chile. Ms. Lewis has a MSc. degree in International Trade Policy (within distinction) from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus and a BSc. degree in Economics from the St. Augustine campus.

Permanent Secretary

Ms Ayanna Clarke is Permanent Secretary (Ag) at the Ministry of Justice. In this capacity she provides strategic leadership and oversight for Programmes and Projects, Corporate Communications, General Administration ensuring the effective delivery of services and the advancement of the organization’s strategic objectives.

Prior to this role she served as Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education where she contributed to the management and execution of key national initiatives.

Ms Clarke is a public sector professional with more than twenty years, in the public and state enterprise sector with experience in public policy, research, project management, monitoring and evaluation and procurement. She is recognized for her results-oriented approach and commitment to public services excellence.

She holds a Msc. Public Sector Management, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus and a Bachelor of Science in Economics, with a minor in Management Information Systems, from the University of the West Indies and has undertaken professional development in several areas. She has also pursued extensive professional development in several areas and holds the Project Management Professional (PMP), designation from the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Ms. Clarke remains dedicated to strengthening institutional performance, promoting sound administration, and advancing initiatives that support national development and improved public service delivery.

Deputy Permanent Secretary

Fran Chaitoo-Jacob

Deputy Permanent Secretary Mrs Fran Chaitoo-Jacob is a seasoned Public Service professional with more than 25 years of distinguished service. Throughout her career, she has held a range of roles across several government ministries, establishing herself as a forward-thinking professional who values innovation, embraces technological advancement and is committed to continuous professional growth. Mrs Chaitoo-Jacob has dedicated the majority of her career to the Ministry of Finance, where she gained extensive experience across clerical, administrative and technical functions.

Prior to her current role, she served as Director of Corporate Services at the former Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. She also spent a significant period within the Human Resources Management Unit at the Ministry of Public Utilities, contributing in various capacities.

She holds a Certificate in Human Resource Management, a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies, and a Graduate Diploma in Public Sector Management. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she is actively engaged in community service through outreach initiatives organised by religious institutions.

Her overarching goal is to contribute meaningfully to the continuous development of the Public Service, enhancing efficiency and the quality-of-service delivery to stakeholders, and ultimately supporting national development in Trinidad and Tobago.

Deputy Permanent Secretary

Her overarching goal is to contribute meaningfully to the continuous development of the Public Service, enhancing efficiency and the quality of service delivery to stakeholders, and ultimately supporting national development in Trinidad and Tobago.Deputy Permanent Secretary Mrs. Fran Chaitoo-Jacob is a seasoned public service professional with over 25 years of distinguished service. Throughout her career, she has held a range of roles across several government ministries, demonstrating strong leadership and administrative expertise. Prior to her current assignment at the Ministry of Justice, she served briefly as Director of Corporate Services at the former Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. She also spent a significant period within the Human Resources Management Unit at the Ministry of Public Utilities, contributing in various capacities.

Mrs. Chaitoo-Jacob is a self-motivated and forward-thinking professional who values innovation, embraces technological advancement, and is committed to continuous professional growth while contributing effectively as a collaborative team member.

Mrs. Chaitoo-Jacob has dedicated the majority of her career to the Ministry of Finance, where she gained extensive experience across clerical, administrative, and technical functions.

Deputy Permanent Secretary Mrs. Fran Chaitoo-Jacob is a seasoned public service professional with over 25 years of distinguished service. Throughout her career, she has held a range of roles across several government ministries, demonstrating strong leadership and administrative expertise. Prior to her current assignment at the Ministry of Justice, she served briefly as Director of Corporate Services at the former Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. She also spent a significant period within the Human Resources Management Unit at the Ministry of Public Utilities, contributing in various capacities.

Mrs. Chaitoo-Jacob has dedicated the majority of her career to the Ministry of Finance, where she gained extensive experience across clerical, administrative, and technical functions.

Environmental Commission
Equal Opportunity Commission
Equal Opportunity Tribunal
Legal Aid and Advisory Authority
Criminal Injuries Compensation Boards
Advisory Committee on the Power of Pardon (Mercy Committee)
Tax Appeal Board
Police Complaints Authority