Justiceface
Justiceface
Jul 13, 2026
Trinité-et-tobago

Trinidad & Tobago issues first binding AI practice direction

On July 7, 2026, Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh signed the Practice Direction on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence, marking Trinidad and Tobago's first formal, binding AI guidance for its courts. The directive, effective immediately upon its publication in the Trinidad and Tobago Gazette on July 9, 2026, establishes a structured framework for AI usage within the judiciary.

Key Provisions of the Practice Direction

The practice direction permits the use of AI for specific tasks such as creating chronologies, summaries, and providing limited drafting assistance. However, it mandates that the substantive content of affidavits, witness statements, and expert opinions must be entirely the work of the human deponent or expert. Additionally, any document utilizing AI must include a disclosure certificate detailing the specific tool and version used, describing its application, and confirming that all legal authorities have been personally verified.

Application to Judicial Officers

Notably, the directive applies to judicial officers as well as lawyers. Judges are allowed to use AI for tasks like summarizing, creating chronologies, and identifying issues but are prohibited from employing AI for reasoning, weighing evidence, or editing draft judgments. Furthermore, Court of Appeal judges are required to disclose any AI usage to their co-panelists.

Implications for the Legal Community

This framework is significant for several reasons:

  • It applies to both the bench and the bar, ensuring a uniform approach to AI usage across the judiciary.
  • It requires tool-specific disclosure, including the name and version of the AI tool used.
  • It explicitly delineates the division of labor between human and AI contributions, rather than defaulting to outright prohibition.

By implementing this practice direction, Trinidad and Tobago positions itself at the forefront of integrating AI into judicial processes while maintaining the integrity and accountability of its legal system.