Post Capitulation Trinidad (1797–1947)

About the Book

Trinidad became a colony of Spain in 1498. In 1797, it was captured by Britain and became a colony of that country. Under British rule, it was categorized as a Crown Colony. As such, it was completely controlled by the British government and the governor who was its representative in the island. The governor was judge ,legislator, and administrator all at once. In that regard, the significance of the Articles of Capitulation, the document evidencing the surrender of the island to British forces, as a bill of rights is considered. The evolution of the law, the judicial system, and the legislature and the consequent replacement of their Spanish counterparts are the bases of the text. But the influence of the economic structure in the colony on the changes that were introduced in the law is described. The change from the one-man rule of the governor to the governor with a Council of Advice, and finally, to a Legislative Council is detailed. Was Spanish law completely terminated in Trinidad? An answer to that question is given in the book.

About the Author

JUSTICE Ivol Blackman was a Judge of the SUPREME COURT in the HIGH COURT of TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO. Prior to his elevation to the SUPREME COURT BENCH he served as the Solicitor General. He holds the degrees of B.A., LLB HONS of LONDON UNIVERSITY, and is a BARRISTER AT LAW of LINCOLN,S INN. He studied languages and history for his B.A. degree at the UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF THE WEST INDIES on a scholarship. He taught languages and history at secondary schools in Trinidad and Tobago before being called to the Bar in England. He joined the Legal service in JAMAICA and later in TRINIDAD and TOBAGO where he became that country,s Solicitor General. He was also called to the inner BAR as a SENIOR COUNSEL in TRINIDAD and TOBAGO, the equivalence of QUEEN,s COUNSEL in England. Born in Industry Lane, Belmont, TRINIDAD, he is the second of six children of the late Richard and Dorothy Blackman from TOBAGO. Justice Blackman is married to the former Erma Campbell and they have four children and two granddaughters.