--(1) What is the Civil Rules Companion?
----(a) The Civil Rules Companion is this website which contains a digital replication of the Civil Procedure Rules, 1998 as amended ("the CPR 1998") and information and tools relevant thereto. It is designed to enhance access to the judicial system by the general public and also to provide quick and easy access to tools and resources for helping users to understand and make effective use of the CPR 1998.
--(2) What is the CPR 1998?
----(a) These are Rules of Court made by the Rules Committee pursuant to section 77 of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, Chap. 4:01 of the Revised Laws of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. These Rules prescribe and regulate the machinery or manner in which legal rights or status and legal duties may be enforced or recognized by the Civil Courts of the Supreme Court of Judicature. They describe the procedures for accessing, appearing before and making use of these Courts.
--(3) Is the Civil Rules Companion a source of law?
----(a) No. The Civil Rules Companion is not a new source of law. It simply brings the existing CPR 1998 to you in an accessible format and either incorporates or provides links to existing official and formal sources of law, including legislation and case law, which are considered relevant and useful for the understanding and use of the CPR 1998.
--(4) Is the Civil Rules Companion maintained at public expense?
----(a) No. The Civil Rules Companion was developed and designed by an Attorney-at-Law with several years of experience in civil litigation with a particular focus on procedural law and public law. It is maintained by a team of dedicated volunteers.
--(5) Where can I get a hard copy of the CPR 1998?
----(a) A bound version of the CPR 1998 incorporating all amendments to May 22nd 2006 is available for purchase from the Civil Registry located on the ground floor of the Hall of Justice, Cnr. Knox and Abercromby Street in Port of Spain (see map below) or at either of the Civil Sub-Registries of the High Court located at Harris Promenade, San Fernando (see map below) or Bacolet Street, Scarborough in Tobago (see map below). Amendments to the CPR 1998 and Practice Directions made after that date are contained in legal notices which can be accessed through the High Court Libraries at each of the various Courts. Amendments and practice directions are also gazetted. The gazettes are available for purchase at the Government Printery now located at Nos. 55-57 E-Teck Park, Frederick Settlement Industrial Estate in Caroni (see map below). Some gazettes and legal notices are available online through the E-Gazette feature on www.news.gov.tt.