“ The Public is advised that as of Monday May 17, 2004 , all new Family Matters must be filed at:
The Family Court of Trinidad and Tobago
Cipriani Place
4 Cipriani Boulevard
Port of Spain . ”
Michael Anthony Lilla, Court Protocol and Information Officer
The St George West Magisterial District

This Public Notice of May 14, 2004 heralded the opening of the Family Court of Trinidad and Tobago. After almost one year of its existence, the Family Court, as a pilot project, is proving to be almost everything its patrons can hope for at a time of crisis.

A mother and her son who have become clients of the Family Court agreed to my request for an interview. Months previously, I had met the son who complained then about harsh treatment from his stepfather. A well-built adolescent of fourteen, he alternated between a mischievous grin and a sad and oftentimes harassed demeanour.

I later learned from the boy's mother that not only did her husband beat him as punishment for any perceived transgression, but that he very often threatened and terrorised the entire family – the mother and her five children.

This boy moved from straying on evenings after school - sometimes begging from strangers - to running away from home, until he reached the point where he was apparently unable to settle down in school for more than one day at a time.

Following the failure of efforts to have the boy placed in alternative accommodations where he could have a safe haven from the stepfather and, at the same time, get the help and psychological support he needed, the mother learnt about the services being offered by the Family Court.

The boy was running off more and more and she was, by this time, ready to do anything to keep him off the streets. She was ready to have him committed by the Court to a Home where, she reasoned, he could be safe. With this in mind, she agreed to a visit to the Family Court.

On the first interview, the Intake Officer revealed that since the boy had turned 15 just the day before, the Court no longer had jurisdiction in having him committed to a Home. It was promised, however, that the Court would be able to provide other services which could be helpful to the family.

Following the interview by the Intake Officer, the case was assigned to a Social Worker.

“Everything happened very quickly after that,” said the very satisfied and obviously relieved mother. “The Social Worker took a lot of information about our family life and was really nice, encouraging me to talk it out. She realised that my son was leaving home constantly to escape his stepfather's abuse.”

The Social Worker offered counselling for mother and son as well as family intervention. She also began the process of finding a good home for the boy until the situation was resolved.

Even though the first Social Worker did not complete the job, the mother and son were quickly passed on to another who continued the process of support and aid to the family. At one point, when it was learnt that the husband had gone on the offensive and taken out a Protection Order against the boy, the Social Worker promptly consulted her supervisor who advised that an Order be taken out giving protection to the woman and her children.

The work of the Social Worker was suspended as legal matters took precedence from that point. The woman was amazed and gratified by the speed with which this was executed, with the Court bearing the cost of a Protection Order - a three-page document in the name of each child.

In the space of a few weeks, all matters were resolved, with the Court following up on the warrant served to the husband with a private hearing. Lawyers were optional and this was offered through Legal Aid if desired. After the Hearing, the Protection Order was issued.

The stepfather's behaviour improved significantly following the Family Court's intervention with the threat of imprisonment if any threats of abuse were issued. At a second Hearing, the husband/stepfather, who had not been giving any financial support to his family, was ordered to do so.

“The speed with which everything was done, was amazing,” Mrs J said. “And I find the entire setting very good. The place was so nice and comfortable. It is a good thing to be able to talk to someone who can send you wherever you need, depending on your situation.” “I do not like to be in Court but it is good there,” said L a dimpled smile in place. “There was air condition and books to read. There is also a cafeteria and coolers for water to drink.”

“They spoke to me like a normal friend,” Mrs J said.

“If I have a friend in trouble and his parents threaten to take him to the Family Court, I will tell him to go. It is a good place,” announced L.

Security procedures are quickly executed as the visitor enters the Family Court. The receptionist you meet next appears to be usually pleasant as she responds to the visitor's query. A comfortable couch occupies a side wall.

On the other side, but hidden from the reception area, are approximately four cubicles where Intake Officers interview prospective clients.

The Family Court, according to the brochure distributed to visitors, offers a variety of services: Intake Service, Children's Services, Probation Service, Mediation Service, Family Counseling and Judicial Services.

The Intake Officer is the first person you will meet to whom you will relate your concerns. It is promised that this person is “very experienced”, with a wide knowledge about the kinds of issues that families face and the services that will best assist them to resolve their family matters. This officer, after listening to the prospective client, will refer the case to the most suitable person or agency.

The Family Court houses a waiting room for young children and one for adolescents. The former is equipped with toys and other activities to keep babies, toddlers and young children entertained while the parents are receiving assistance from the Court.

Special precautions are taken, said the attendants, to ensure there is little chance of someone abandoning children there.

Other specialist personnel employed by the Family Court include Probation Officers, Mediators and Family Counsellors. Judges and

Magistrates of the Family Court are also “widely experienced and specially trained in family matters”.

The Family Court handles a variety of family matters including:

• Matrimonial – divorce, separation, annulment, maintenance of spouses and matrimonial property;

• Children – Custody, access (visiting rights), child maintenance, paternity, abuse and neglect of children, adoption (while the Adoption Board is the only agency that is legally responsible for arranging adoptions, adoption orders must be made in the Family Court).

• Cohabitation – rights of persons who are or have been living together in a common-law union;

• Succession – rights of parties to inherit on the death of a spouse, a parent, child or other relative;

• Domestic Violence of all types.

There are some family services that are not a formal part of the structure of the Family Court but will be referred to by Court personnel as required by clients. Two examples of these are Legal Aid and Advisory Authority Services, and Social Welfare.