1. Introduction
a. History and background
Trinidad and Tobago is an independent republic within the
British Commonwealth. Its economy is based largely on the
petrochemical industry and has widely developed financial, banking,
insurance and manufacturing sectors.
Trinidad and Tobago lies to the extreme south of the Caribbean
and it approximately seven miles from the mainland of Venezuela at
its nearest point to the South American continent.
Trinidad and Tobago is one of the countries in what was regarded
as the British West Indies and is presently a member of the
Caribbean Community. The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago comprises
two islands: Trinidad, which is 4,827 square kilometres (1,886
square miles) and Tobago which is 300 square kilometres (117 square
miles). There are two international sea ports in Trinidad: Port of
Spain and Point Lisas. Trinidad has an international airport at
Piarco and Tobago’s international airport is at Crown Point.
The local language is English. The population is approximately
1.3 million and the currency is Trinidad and Tobago Dollar
(TTD).
b. Legal system
Trinidad and Tobago is a former colony of Great Britain and
follows the common law system that originated in England. Its
original laws are based on English legislation, common law and
rules of equity.
Since independence from England in 1962 and the establishment of
its Republican state in 1979, Trinidad and Tobago has established
its own legislation to compliment the existing laws.