By Verdel Bishop
Copyright trinidadexpress
Justice Minister Devesh Maharaj said yesterday that the announcement by Chief Justice Ivor Archie that he is retiring early came as a surprise.
Speaking with reporters outside the Hall of Justice, Knox Street, Port of Spain, following the ceremonial opening of the 2025-2026 law term where Archie made the announcement, Maharaj said the development requires careful reflection on the way forward.
“It is something that has ta-ken all of us by surprise because there were always rumours and so on. But we are taken by surprise that he is actually saying that he is going. It is a time for some reflection on deciding the way forward,” Maharaj said.
The Justice Minister also said positive changes were coming to virtual courts in police stations.
“We have had some constructive dialogue on the matter with the Chief Justice and the team and it looks very positive; we won’t disclose any details right now because it is still maturing,” Maharaj said.
Maharaj said he is satisfied with progress in the judicial system.
“We have had positive dia-logue and there will be positive change coming. As the Chief Justice indicated, the way forward seems to be a hybrid system—some vir-tual and some in person—and that seems to be the way forward,” he said.
Opposition Leader: Many legacies
Opposition Leader Penne-lope Beckles, who attended the ceremonial opening of the 2025-26 law term and also spoke with the media at the Hall of Justice, said Archie’s legacies include implementing artificial intelligence, introducing the hybrid system, and the use of technology. She added that he understood public concerns.
“As he said, he recog-nises that the concerns of the public are legiti-mate. People do have reasons to complain, but it’s a work in progress. It’s a question of attracting judges and ensuring that those who come to serve have the right experience. Being a good lawyer does not automatically mean you will be a good judge,” Beckles said.
She continued: “I think bringing in artificial intelligence and other technologies, in-clu-ding systems at the jail to deal with matters there, is important. But he also recognises that challenges remain for the Police Service.
“To make the judicial system work smoothly, it requires the coopera-tion of the public and multiple ministries. Confidence in the system depends on consultation, collaboration, and effective co-ordination,” Beckles said.
