IN THE COURTROOM HOW TO ADDRESS CONTACT INFORMATION

San Fernando Supreme Court: • When the Judge or Magistrate enters the It is important to show respect when addressing a Harris Promenade, San Fernando Judge, Master, Magistrate or Registrar and most Supreme Court: courtroom, all persons must stand. The Judge or Hall of Justice, Knox Street, Contact: 652-2152; 652-2869 Magistrate will bow to Counsel (the Attorneys at importantly you must address him/her in a specific Port-of-Spain Law) and at the same time Counsel will bow. This manner. Contact: 623-2416; 623-2417 San Fernando is a mark of mutual professional respect. Magistrates’ Court: Family Court: 7 Court Street, San Fernando Cipriani Place, 4 Cipriani Boulevard, Contact: 653-5116 • Counsel will stand when addressing a Judge or Port of Spain Magistrate and when addressed by a Judge or Office/Position In Court Contact: 627-8716; 623-2631 Rio Claro Magistrates’ Court: Magistrate. Counsel will sit when the Judge or Corner of Plaisance and Magistrate is addressed by another Counsel and High Court Judge My Lord / My Lady St. George West Guyaguayare Main Road, Rio Claro Contact: 644-2297; 655-2117 when that other Counsel is addressed by the Magistrates’ Court: St. Vincent St., Port of Spain High Court Master Master Judge or Magistrate. Contact: 625- 2781-83 Siparia Magistrates’ Court: High Street, Siparia • When someone is addressing the Court; nodding, High Court Registrar Master Magistrates’ Court: Contact: 649-2449 shaking your head, talking to others, reading, or Tunapuna Administrative Complex, , Tunapuna Magistrates’ Court: otherwise is seen as being discourteous. Court Magistrate Your Worship Contact: 645-9414; 662-4808 Cap-de-Ville Road, Point Fortin decorum is high priority. Contact: 648-2453; 648-1851 Magistrates’ Court: • Clients and witnesses should never show any For more information please visit our website: 8 Prince Street, Arima Princes Town Magistrates’ Court: outward response to things that are said or www.ttlawcourts.org Contact: 667-3579; 664-0642 Corner Tramline and High Street, Princes Town done in the courtroom. If the opposition is being Sangre Grande Magistrates’ Court: Contact: 655-2275; 655-4726 untruthful or misrepresenting the case, you will Toco Main Road, Sangre Grande get your opportunity to present your case later. Contact: 668-2514; 668-5628 Mayaro Magistrates’ Court: Guayaguayare Main Road, Mayaro • When the case is adjourned and the Judge or Magistrates’ Court: Contact: 630-4309; 630-7546 Corner Lange Street and Railway Road, Magistrate rises to leave the Court, all must stand, Chaguanas TOBAGO Counsel and Judge or Magistrate will bow. Contact: 665-2820; 665-5895 Tobago Supreme Court: Bacolet Street, Scarborough • All persons in the courtroom will remain standing Magistrates’ Court: Contact: 639-2640; 635-1372 and silent until the Judge or Magistrate leaves. Church Street, Couva Contact: 679-5448; 636-2432 Scarborough Magistrates’ Court: Bacolet Street, Scarborough Contact: 639-2640; 635-1372

A publication of The Court Protocol and Information Unit Judiciary of the Republic of Hall of Justice, Knox Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I. Telephone (868) 623-8529; Fax 624-2094 Email: [email protected] Website:ttlawcourts.org COMING TO COURT PROHIBITED ITEMS TIPS FOR COURTROOM ETIQUETTE USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES

WHAT TO EXPECT Weapons are strictly prohibited in a Court facility. BE ON TIME • All pagers, cell phones, electronic games and These include: any items that can disrupt the Court are to be Important business is conducted in Court and the Remember that there may be other matters being TURNED OFF. outcome of proceedings can dramatically affect • Firearms of any type heard the same day as yours and so you should wait those involved. For these reasons, everyone in Court for your matter to be called before entering the • Photography, videotaping, broadcasting and is expected to behave reasonably and adhere to any • Knives, any other instrument that is specially courtroom. You should sit in the public gallery or televising equipment or audio recordings of Court instructions given by the Judge, Magistrate or Court adapted as a weapon waiting area until your matter is called. proceedings are PROHIBITED. If you have any of official. Failure to follow some simple guidelines these items with you on entering a Court facility could lead to one being found in contempt of Court. • Explosive devices and any incendiary device or Be sure to arrive before your scheduled hearing time. you may be refused admittance until you are able Once you have entered any Court building and you firework, including smoke and stink bombs If the Judge is already in Court when you enter, stop to remove these items from your possession. are unclear about what to do next one of our Court and nod respectfully to the Judge from the doorway Customer Relations Representatives will be able to Other prohibited items include: of the Court before proceeding to your seat. direct you. • Cigarette lighters DRESS APPROPRIATELY

• Matches Court proceedings are formal occasions and as such visitors to the Court should be properly attired. Make Exceptions • Nail files sure you are modest, neat and clean. Inappropriate dressing may prohibit you from entering the Court • Once permission has been obtained from the • Tools such as: Presiding Officer, Attorneys-at-Law and Pro Here are some things you should know when Se litigants (those representing themselves) coming to Court: • Handcuff keys • Hats, sun glasses, revealing or inappropriate may use a computer with a silent keyboard or clothing, vests, sleeveless tops, shorts and other electronic device to transmit and receive • ALL persons are subject to security search • Aerosol sprays slippers communication in a courtroom although Court before entering any Court facility is in session. • Any straight razor or razorblade • Opened toed shoes or sandal style shoes are • Newspapers are not allowed discouraged • Accredited media personnel may apply to • Any drug of abuse or illegal substance a Judicial Officer for permission to use any • Eating is not allowed electronic device in a courtroom and where • Any drug paraphernalia such permission is granted shall do so in strict • Items of food are not allowed compliance with the terms and conditions set by • Anything deemed inappropriate to the Court the Judicial Officer. • No drinking and chewing of gum environment

• Water bottles or any containers holding liquid are not allowed

• Avoid walking in and out of Court as this is seen as distracting the Court

• Taking of notes is not allowed