ATTORNEY General Reginald Armour says Government has heeded a call from the Judiciary for legislation to deal with critical issues affecting it, including the efficient dispensation of civil matters and hiring qualified people to handle them.
But Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar questioned whether the Government was sincere about helping the Judiciary and if there was a conflict of interest which Armour did not disclose in the legislation that he referred to.
They made these statements in their respective contributions to debate on the Civil Division Bill 2024 in the House of Representatives on September 20.
Armour recalled Chief Justice Ivor Archie's remarks earlier in the day, at the opening of the law term at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain, about "the conversation that he is trying to have with the Salaries Review Commission (SRC) and the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO)."
Armour said the bill indicates that people with the requisite special training, experience and temperament shall be appointed to posts in the civil court.
"This is a bill that is before the Parliament today. That was approved by the Cabinet to be brought here for passage into law on the recommendation of the Judiciary, in the ongoing conversation that continues to take place between the Judiciary, represented by the Chief Justice, and the Executive, represented by the Office of the AG, myself, in an engagement with the Judiciary that does not rely on the artificiality of persons who claim to be constitutional experts when they speak to the so-called separation of powers."
Armour said Government accepts it must work with the Judiciary as an independent arm under the Constitution "to progress the quality of administration of justice for the citizens of this country."
The bill seeks to repeal the Petty Civil Courts Act and create a new civil division within the Judiciary to deal with civil matters.
This division will comprise a civil court, small claims court and estates administration office.
One of the functions of the civil court will be hearing election petitions.
This court may conduct its hearings in person or by telephone, video link or other appropriate electronic means.
[caption id="attachment_1109950" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Attorney General Reginald Armour addresses the Parliament, alongside Finance Minister Colm Imbert, on September 13. - File photo by Angelo Marcelle[/caption]
As he outlined different aspects of the legislation, Armour said Archie had touched on some of them as well in his address
"It is a remarkable coincidence, in the context of the opening today of the new law term, and the remarks of the honourable Chief Justice, that this bill is being debated for passage in this House today."
Armour said the bill was first listed on the House's order paper on June 28.
He recalled meeting the bill on his desk when he was appointed AG in March 2022.
The proposed civil division, Armour continued, will be structured similarly to other specialised c
