AG meets with UK, Canada delegation on crime

Posted On 26 Jan 2014

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan SC and British High Commissioner, Arthur Snell

Their Excellencies, British High Commissioner, Arthur Snell and Canadian High Commissioner Gerard Latulippe paid a courtesy a call on Attorney General Anand Ramlogan SC on Friday January 24, 2014 to discuss several matters of mutual interest.

Their Excellencies were accompanied by the Director of the Crown Prosecution Service International Division, Mr. Patrick Stevens, Specialist Prosecutor for the International Division from London, Mr. Andrew Stephens, and Criminal Justice Advisor to Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Moira Mac Daid.

The meeting focused on measures to improve the criminal justice system and the administration of justice. A wide range of issues were discussed including the detection of crime, crime scene investigation, the use of technology in the fight against crime using CCTV cameras, digitalized recording of police statements, the abolition of jury trials and anonymous witnesses.

Attorney General Ramlogan thanked their Excellencies for their continued willingness to assist the government in improving the justice system in Trinidad and Tobago.

He promised a progressive legislative agenda for 2014 with heavy emphasis on crime fighting measures. He indicated that legislative measures which target the problems that afflict the criminal justice system will be tabled including the abolition of preliminary inquiries, an increase in the number of criminal offences that can be tried without a jury, witness protection, testifying via video link or anonymously using one -way screens, the implementation of the death penalty and jury tampering.

The Attorney General thanked Ms Mac Daid for her work as Criminal Justice Advisor and expressed his interest in having this programme, (which is a joint initiative funded by the Canadian Government using a British lawyer) continue in light of the positive contributions made.

AG Ramlogan vowed to continue the close relationship with both Governments to ensure that the fight against crime is successful and that the vision for an efficient, modern and improved system of criminal justice becomes a reality.