The government of Trinidad and Tobago is structured into three main branches:

1. Executive Branch:
 The executive branch is headed by the President, who serves as the chief
of state, and the Prime Minister, who is the head of government. The
Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister, is responsible for the general direction
and control of the government.

2. Legislative Branch:
 The legislative branch consists of a bicameral Parliament. The House of
Representatives, with 41 members elected for at least five-year terms,
plays a crucial role in lawmaking and oversight. The Senate, with 31
members appointed by the President based on advice from various
sources, also contributes to the legislative process.

3. Judicial Branch:
 The judicial branch includes an independent court system in Trinidad and
Tobago. The highest court of appeal is the Judicial Committee of the Privy
Council in London. Additionally, Trinidad and Tobago was selected to host
the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as a regional appellate court.

These three arms work together to ensure the functioning of a parliamentary democracy
in Trinidad and Tobago, with checks and balances in place to maintain accountability
and uphold the rule of law.

LEGISLATURE

The legislature in Trinidad and Tobago is bicameral, consisting of the House of

Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives comprises 41 directly
elected members who serve a five-year term in single-seat constituencies. The Senate,
on the other hand, consists of 31 members appointed by the President. These include
16 Government Senators appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister, 6 Opposition
Senators appointed on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition, and 9 Independent
Senators chosen by the President to represent various sectors of civil society.

The Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago plays a crucial role in the governance of the
country. It is responsible for making laws, providing oversight of the government or
executive branch, and ensuring good governance within the nation. The Parliament
follows the Westminster System of government, where members of the Executive are
also members of Parliament and attend sittings of the legislature.
The composition of the Parliament includes the President of Trinidad and Tobago, who
serves as the head of state, along with the two chambers - the House of
Representatives and the Senate. The Speaker of the House of Representatives
presides over sessions in that chamber, while the President of the Senate leads
proceedings in the Senate.

Notably, as of a specific date mentioned in your context, Trinidad and Tobago’s

Parliament made history by having an incumbent female President, President of the
Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Leader of the Opposition.
Additionally, on February 15, 2022, Trinidad and Tobago appointed Jowelle De Souza
as its first transgender parliamentarian, marking a significant milestone in Caribbean
politics.

In terms of gender representation, as per data from April 20, 2021, there were 24
female members in Parliament, accounting for approximately 32.9% representation.
Furthermore, only eight members were born in Tobago, representing about 11% of total
membership.

The Parliament is actively engaged in international affiliations such as ACP-EU Joint

Parliamentary Assembly, Canada-Caribbean Parliamentary Friendship Group,
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU),
showcasing its commitment to global parliamentary cooperation.

Executive in Trinidad government

The executive branch of the Trinidad and Tobago government is led by the President
and the Prime Minister. As of the most recent information available, the Chief of State,
who serves as the President, is Christine Kangaloo. The Head of Government, who is
the Prime Minister, is Keith Rowley.

These key figures play crucial roles in the governance and administration of Trinidad
and Tobago, with the President serving as the head of state and commander in chief,
while the Prime Minister is responsible for running the government on a day-to-day
basis.

The political system in Trinidad and Tobago operates within a parliamentary democracy
framework, following a model similar to that of the United Kingdom. The country gained
independence in 1962 and adopted a republican Constitution in 1976, replacing the
monarch with an elected President. The Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister, holds the
general direction and control of the government, being accountable to the bicameral
Parliament consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives.

The President is elected by an electoral college composed of members of Parliament.

The House of Representatives has 41 members elected for terms of at least five years.
The Senate comprises 31 members appointed by the President based on advice from
various sources. Local government is administered through Regional Corporations and
municipalities, with Tobago having its own governing body known as the Tobago House
of Assembly.

Party politics in Trinidad and Tobago historically aligned along ethnic lines, with Afro-
Trinidadians supporting parties like the People’s National Movement (PNM) and Indo-
Trinidadians backing Indian-majority parties such as the United National Congress
(UNC). However, efforts have been made to broaden party appeal beyond ethnic
divisions.

Judiciary in Trinidad and Tobago Government

The judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago is a crucial branch of the government responsible
for interpreting and applying the laws of the country to ensure justice and provide a
mechanism for dispute resolution. The judiciary system in Trinidad and Tobago is
hierarchical, consisting of the following key components:

1. Supreme Court of Judicature: The Supreme Court is a significant part of the

judiciary system in Trinidad and Tobago. It comprises the High Court of Justice and the
Court of Appeal.

2. Magistracy: The Magistracy includes separate criminal and civil courts with original
jurisdiction. It is led by a Chief Magistrate.

3. Family Court: This specialized court deals with family-related matters within the
legal system of Trinidad and Tobago.

Leadership:

 The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is the head of the judiciary in Trinidad
and Tobago.
 The Chief Justice is appointed by the President based on the advice of the Prime
Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.
 As of the latest available information, Ivor Archie serves as the current Chief
Justice.

Appeals Process:

 Final appeals on certain matters are decided by the Judicial Committee of the
Privy Council in London.
  Efforts have been made to transfer this appellate function to the Caribbean Court
of Justice (CCJ), located in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
 There have been discussions about abolishing criminal appeals to the Privy
Council in favor of the CCJ, with some political considerations regarding treaty
obligations.

Legal System Overview:

 The legal system in Trinidad and Tobago is based on English common law.
 The final Court of Appeal for civil and criminal cases is currently the Judicial
Committee of the Privy Council in London.
 Trinidad and Tobago has been selected as the headquarters for the Caribbean
Court of Justice (CCJ), intended to replace the Privy Council as the final
appellate court for all CARICOM states.