Chief Justice Ivor Archie has introduced his intention to retire, ending an virtually 18-year tenure as Trinidad and Tobago’s high judicial officer. The announcement was made through the Commemoration of the Opening of the 2025-2026 Regulation Time period on the Convocation Corridor, Corridor of Justice, Port of Spain.
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Archie, who turned 65 on August 18, mentioned in his deal with: “Chief Justice is what I do; it’s not who I’m. The Workplace of CJ isn’t personal property or one thing you personal or cling to. It’s held in belief for the nation. I’m only a single runner in a unending relay and the baton have to be handed at a while.” He emphasised that his determination was made to make sure transparency and seamless succession.
Though the retirement age for judges was raised from 65 to 70 in 2020, Archie selected to retire on his personal phrases. “Regardless of how progressive a frontrunner could also be, an infusion of contemporary concepts from a brand new chief is fascinating on occasion. I additionally wish to discover new challenges and alternatives as I proceed to develop,” he mentioned.
Archie’s judicial profession spans greater than twenty years. Appointed a puisne choose in 1998, he was elevated to the Court docket of Enchantment in 2004 and have become Trinidad and Tobago’s eighth and youngest Chief Justice on January 24, 2008. He additionally serves as Chairman of the Judicial and Authorized Providers Fee (JLSC) and President of the Trinidad and Tobago Judicial Schooling Institute.
Among the many judges thought-about potential successors are Justices of Enchantment Ronnie Boodoosingh, Geoffrey Henderson, and Peter Rajkumar.
Archie’s tenure has seen landmark judicial developments. Most just lately, in March 2025, the Privy Council upheld a judgment in favor of Justice Marcia Ayers-Caesar, ruling she had been unlawfully pressured by the JLSC beneath Archie’s management to resign from the Excessive Court docket in 2017. The Regulation Affiliation of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) described the matter as a “critical concern” relating to judicial independence and safety of tenure.
Senior Counsel Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, a part of the authorized crew within the Ayers-Caesar case, commented on the ruling, stating: “I can’t see how anybody in that place can simply proceed in workplace as if nothing occurred.”
Born in Tobago on August 18, 1960, Archie earned a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the College of the West Indies earlier than learning legislation at Solent College in the UK. He later held senior authorized positions in Trinidad and Tobago, the Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, together with as Solicitor Common within the Cayman Islands.
Archie has been acknowledged for his service with the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT) in 2013 and has made vital contributions to judicial training and reform within the nation.
