Legal Aid and Advisory Authority

If you have a dispute with your neighbour, or your spouse is abusive, or your son has been arrested for theft.

What do you do?

You can call or visit one of the nine offices of the Legal Aid and Advisory Authority. When you visit our offices you will be required to fill out an enquiry form. You are then referred to an attorney attached to the Authority, who provides you with legal guidance on your matter. If necessary an investigator may then be assigned to your case to conduct a thorough investigation. Subsequent to this investigation, a report is submitted to the Legal Aid Board, which determines whether or not Legal Aid would be granted to you. If you are offered Legal Aid you must sign an acceptance form and contact the attorney to which you have been assigned.

The Legal Aid and Advisory Authority was established in 1976 to provide affordable legal advice and assistance to citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. In keeping with this mandate the initial cost of accessing the service is $10.00.

Old Age Pensioners, juveniles, and the disabled who get disability allowance automatically qualify for Legal Aid. Persons who seek representation for civil matters in the High Court must meet the qualifying income requirement. However, for criminal matters in the Magistrates or High Court, the Magistrate or the judge determines who is granted Aid.

The resolution of legal matters brought before the Courts is dependant on many factors, so that there is no specific time frame within which the Authority can guarantee the resolution of a court matter.

Legal Aid and Advisory Authority email:

legalaid@tstt.net.tt

Locations of our nine Offices:

Head Office
Port of Spain
• Corner Oxford and Edward Street, Port of Spain
Tel: 625-0454
Legal advice: Monday to Friday
8:00am - 4:00pm

San Fernando
• 102-104 Coffee Street, Howard Lane, San Fernando
Tel: 652-2978 or 657-0684
Legal advice: Monday to Friday
8:00am - 4:00pm

Sangre Grande
• Social Welfare Office,
Cor. Savi St and Boodooville Circular Rd, Sangre Grande
Tel: 668-3366
Legal Advice: Mondays
8:00-12:00 noon

Arima
• Registrar General's Office
Pro Queen Street (Upstairs Willies Ice Cream), Arima
Tel: 667-1700
Legal Advice: Wednesdays
8:00-12:00 noon

Couva
• Family Services Centre, Camden Road, Couva
Tel: 636-5267
Legal Advice: Thursdays
8:00 am -12:00 noon

Debe/Penal
• Debe/Penal Regional Corporation,
Dookie Street, Penal
Tel: 647-6302
Legal Advise: Fridays
8:00 am - 12:00 noon

Siparia
• Siparia Regional Corporation
High Street, Siparia
Tel: 649-2348
Legal Advice: Tuesdays
8:00am - 12:00 noon

Chaguanas
• Chaguanas Borough Corporation
Rate Paying Office
24 Ramsaran Street, Chaguanas
Tel: 671-0577 / 665-9640
Legal Advise: Tuesdays
8:00am - 12:00 noon

Tobago
• Fairfield Complex Scarborough Tobago
Tel: 639-6531
Legal Advice: Monday - Friday
8:00am - 4:00pm