The Office of the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
  • Home
  • The President
    • Christine Carla Kangaloo
    • Role and Function
      • Extracts from the Constitution
    • The President’s House
    • Greeting the President
    • History of the Presidency
    • Did You Know?
  • Trinidad and Tobago
    • National Anthem
    • National Symbols
    • National Holidays and Festivals
    • State Structure
    • National Awards
      • National Awards Ceremony
      • Database of National Awardees
  • News & Events
    • Press Releases
    • Presentations of Credentials
    • Courtesy Calls
    • Appointments
    • Messages and Speeches
    • Other Events
    • Photo Galleries
  • Contact

Select Page

Appointment of Members to the Judicial and Legal Service Commission and the Public Service Appeal Board

Apr 16, 2025

Appointment of Members to the Judicial and Legal Service Commission and the Public Service Appeal Board

On Wednesday 16th April, 2025, Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo O.R.T.T., President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago presided over the swearing-in ceremony for the re-appointment of the Honourable Madam Justice Charmaine Pemberton, JA, as a Member of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission; the appointment of Madame Justice Judith Jones as a Member and Chairman of the Public Service Appeal Board; and the appointment of Ms. Melba Dedier and Mrs. Simonne Jaggernauth-Clarke as Members of the Public Service Appeal Board.

The Honourable Mme Justice Charmaine Pemberton JA was appointed a Puisne Judge in 2005 and elevated to the Court of Appeal in September 2016. Before serving in this jurisdiction, she served as a Puisne Judge in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court from 2002 to 2005.

She began her legal career in 1983, having graduated from the University of the West Indies and the Hugh Wooding Law School. Her early work included roles at E.T.V. Kelly & Co., the Chief State Solicitor’s Office, and the Office of the Ombudsman (1987–1994), where her interest in human rights, public law, and alternative dispute resolution began.

She later practiced at J.D. Sellier & Co. and as a sole practitioner, before becoming the first Master of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in 2000, overseeing civil litigation across several Caribbean islands. She was elevated to Judge in 2003, serving in St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and notably becoming the first female Judge in Grenada.

Justice Pemberton is a trained mediator, certified judicial trainer, and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. She has published papers on Ombudsman institutions and CARICOM trade and has been active in judicial training and mediation initiatives regionally.

Madame Justice Judith Jones is a retired Justice of Appeal. She served in the Court of Appeal of the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago from June 2015 to September 2020.

Prior to being elevated to the Court of Appeal, Madame Justice Jones served as a Judge of the High Court, from December 2004 to May, 2015. She is a qualified mediator, having received training in civil and family mediation from the University of Southern Florida in 1998.

She has been a tutor at the Hugh Wooding Law School in both Evidence and Civil Procedure and Practice. She held the post of Director/Chairman of the Legal Aid and Advisory Authority of Trinidad and Tobago from 1996 to 2002.

Madame Justice Jones is a former Chairman of the Police Service Commission from November 2021 to November 2024.

She is the holder of a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School and a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of the West Indies.

Ms. Melba Dedier is a career Public Service Manager whose objective is to continue to contribute to the effective implementation of Public Service policies and strategic plans, through the modernisation of systems and processes.

Ms Dedier is a retired Permanent Secretary having served in the Office of the Prime Minister, (2015 – 2016); Ministry of Justice, (2012 – 2016) and the Ministry of Tourism (2007 – 2012).

Since her retirement from the Public Service, she has served in the Ministry of Education where she provides guidance and support on administrative matters, including training and coaching of staff members and assisting in preparing and vetting Notes for Cabinet, reports and policies.

Ms Dedier holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, French and Spanish, from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.  She has additional training certification in Management and Management for Public Officers.

Mrs. Simonne Jaggernauth-Clarke is an Attorney-at-law who is a Partner at the law firm of Fitzwilliam, Stone, Furness-Smith and Morgan, who practises as an Instructing Attorney-at-Law and Advocate Counsel at the High Court and Court of Appeal in diverse matters, including judicial review, corporate and contractual disputes, commercial debt collection, personal injury, defamation, property disputes and workmen’s compensation.

She was admitted to the Bar of England and Wales in July 2011 and to the Bar of Trinidad and Tobago in March, 2012.

Mrs. Jaggernauth-Clarke has served in several offices and firms including Colonial Life Insurance Company Limited, Pollonais, Blanc, de la Bastide & Jacelon, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

She is the recipient of an Open National Scholarship in Modern Languages, (2006).

Share:

PreviousHer Excellency attends CCJ Interfaith Service
NextFarewell Courtesy Visit by His Excellency Gerhard Doujak, Ambassador of Austria

Related Posts

Speech – Special Sitting of the Tobago House of Assembly

Speech – Special Sitting of the Tobago House of Assembly

January 31, 2019

Message on Republic Day 2024

Message on Republic Day 2024

September 23, 2024

Message from Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes, ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on International Women’s Day 2019

Message from Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes, ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on International Women’s Day 2019

March 8, 2019

Presentations of Credentials: Ambassador of the Republic of Peru and High Commissioner of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Presentations of Credentials: Ambassador of the Republic of Peru and High Commissioner of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

October 6, 2020

Facebook Feed

Cover for The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
20,493
The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

The official Facebook Page of The Office of the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

3 days ago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
#HappeningNow The third and final stop of the day has brought Their Excellencies to the San Rafael RC Primary School as they continue their educational outreach programme on the Presidency. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

3 days ago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
#Happeningnow The Brazil RC Primary School is the second stop of the day for Their Excellencies Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Kerwyn Garcia, SC, First Gentleman, on today’s visit to schools in the St George East Education District. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

3 days ago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
#HappeningNow The Office of the President's School Visit programme continues today, Thursday 29th May, 2025, as Their Excellencies Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Kerwyn Garcia SC, First Gentleman, visit schools in the St. George East Education District. The first stop of the day is at the Talparo RC Primary School and the Mundo Nuevo RC Primary School which are both housed on the same compound. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

4 days ago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
On Tuesday 27 May, 2025, Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, met with Senator the Honourable Wade Mark, President of the Senate at The President’s House.As outlined in Section 27 of the Constitution, the President of the Senate is entrusted with the responsibility of acting as President in the absence or illness of the Head of State. Her Excellency extended heartfelt congratulations to Senator Mark on his appointment and expressed her best wishes as he assumes this significant role. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

4 days ago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
Excitement filled the air during recent student tours of The President’s House and grounds! This week, the Office of the President was delighted to welcome students from:📚 St. Dominic’s R.C. School, Morvant📚 Poole River Presbyterian Primary School📚 Arima Girls’ R.C. SchoolDuring their visit, the students had the unique opportunity to witness parts of the Presentation of Credentials ceremonies taking place at The President’s House on that day. Some students were even fortunate enough to meet and interact with Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo, ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, following the conclusion of one of the ceremonies. 🇹🇹📸 Take a look at some memorable moments from their visit!Click the links below to view the full photo albums:🔗 St. Dominic’s R.C. School, Morvant: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCfT6y🔗 Poole River Presbyterian Primary School: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCg2Yo🔗 Arima Girls’ R.C. School: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCg4xw ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Categories

  • Appointments
  • Courtesy Calls
  • Featured
  • Galleries
  • Media Releases
  • Messages and Speeches
  • Multimedia
  • News & Events
  • Other Events
  • Presentations of Credentials
  • Publications
  • Videos

  • THE PRESIDENT
  • Christine Carla Kangaloo
  • Role and Function
  • Extracts from the Constitution
  • The President’s House
  • Forms of Address
  • History of the Presidency
  • Did You Know?

  • TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
  • National Anthem
  • National Symbols
  • National Holidays and Festivals
  • State Structure
  • National Awards
  • Ceremony
  • Database/Past Ceremonies

  • NEWS AND EVENTS
  • Press Releases
  • Messages and Speeches
  • Appointments
  • Presentations of Credentials
  • Courtesy Calls
  • Other Events
  • Galleries

Contact

President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Office of the President
Circular Road
St Ann’s
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Telephone: (868) 225-4687
Email: otp.mail@otp.gov.tt

Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress