“Violence and the Problem-Solving Court.”The Family Court of Trinidad and Tobago

Maureen Rajnauth-LeeHigh Court Judge

Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago

The Establishment of the Family Court

• In the year 2004, the Family Court of Trinidad and Tobago opened its doors as a model in both form (physical facilities and structure) and function (judicial and non-judicial supports)

• The Family Court - the first problem- solving court in T&T

• The Family Court designed as a one-stop shop

The Family Court as a Problem Solving Court for Domestic Violence

• High Court and Magistrates’ Courts brought together to deal with high incidence of domestic violence

• In the year 2010-2011, there were 11,984 domestic violence cases filed in the Magistrates’ Courts

How did the Family Court solve the problems of victims of Domestic Violence and improve access to justice?We made the Court understandable and easy to navigate....a customer service approach. • Customer Service Representatives• Intake Officers• Pro Se Counters

We made the Court less foreboding, providing Dignity and Privacy

Private Court Rooms Environment:• Relieves stress • Painted in “happy” colours. • Waiting rooms decorated with

plants and park benches • Cafeteria

We Solved the Problem of Child Care

Children’s Waiting Room• Babies and toddlers

are cared for, free of charge, by highly trained and friendly staff

• Toys, games, books, sleeping mats and cribs are provided

We Solved the Problem of Child Care

Youth Waiting Area• Young people are

supervised by highly trained and friendly staff

• a pleasant environment outfitted with computers, books, a TV and DVD player

“A ONE-STOP SHOP” to solve many problems

The Court provides on-spot services:• Mediation• Counselling• Other Social Services• Referrals to Government Departments

The Court funds:• Psychological and Psychiatric Assessment and

Treatment• DNA testing in Paternity Cases• The Court also operates an Emergency Fund

ENDING THE VIOLENCE(HOPE - a Violence Intervention Programme)

The Family Court operates the HOPE Programme, that is, Holistic Opportunities for Personal Development.

We offer• Hope for Men• Hope for Women• Hope for Youth and Children

The Hope Programmes are designed to:

• Take the blame off the victims• Hold batterers accountable• Keep victims safe

The Family Court of Trinidad and Tobago has the lead role in coordinating the HOPE

programmes in T&T

The Problem-Solving Judge

Success Stories:• “The Bail Boys Project”• “A Magistrate and her network”

The Family Court contact details are as follows:

NIPDEC House

Tragarete Road, Port of Spain,

Trinidad and Tobago

1-868-623-0395 or 1-868-623-0567

http://ttlawcourts.org or http://webopac.ttlawcourts.org/

Church House Conference CentreLondon