The Persons in Public Life required to file annual declarations of income, assets and liabilities and statements of registrable interests include the following-
- Members of the House of Representatives;
- Ministers of Government;
- Parliamentary Secretaries;
- Members of the Tobago House of Assembly;
- Members of Municipalities;
- Members of Local Government Authorities;
- Senators;
- Judges and Magistrates appointed by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission.*
- Members of the Boards of all Statutory Bodies and State Enterprises including those bodies in which the State has a controlling interest;
- Permanent Secretaries and Chief Technical Officers.
* A High Court decision, No. 1735 of 2005,
ruled, on October 15, 2007, that Judges and Magistrates are not subject to the
Integrity in Public Life Act.
The Persons exercising public function are-
- All persons holding office under the four (4) Service Commissions:
- Public Service,
- Judicial and Legal Service,
- Police Service and
- Teaching Service.
- Statutory Authorities Service Commission
- Members of the Diplomatic Service
- Advisers to the Government.
Within three (3) months of becoming a Person in Public Life, he/she is required to complete and file a declaration of his/her income, assets and liabilities together with a statement of registrable interests in respect of the previous year and thereafter, on May 31st in each succeeding year that the person remains in public life.
A declaration required under the Act, shall include such particulars of the income, assets and liabilities in respect of the declarant, spouse and dependent children.
Yes. The prescribed forms can be obtained on line at the Commission’s website
HERE.
Yes. The Commission CAN accept declarations in electronic format, as per the instructions HERE.
A person who fails to file a declaration commits an offence and upon prosecution is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $250,000.00 and to imprisonment for a term of ten (10) years.
A person who fails to file a declaration of income, assets and liabilities and statement of registrable interests, in the particular timeframe, without submitting legitimate reason(s) to the Commission in writing, will have this information and his/her name published in the Gazette and in at least one daily newspapers; which is in accordance with section 11(6) of the Integrity in Public Life Act, Chap. 22:01.
Once the Person in Public Life shows good cause, the Commission may extend the time to file declarations for an additional period not exceeding twelve (12) months. This request must be in writing or via email to the Registrar (providing the person in public life has completed an email authorization form).
The Commission examines all declarations filed to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Integrity in Public Life Act, Chap. 22:01. As part of the examination the Commission may request from the declarant any information or explanation relevant to his declaration which would assist in its examination in accordance with section 13 (1) of the Integrity in Public Life Act, Chap. 22:01.
Persons wishing to access the Register of Interests must complete the required form below and send to registrar@integritycommission.org.tt.
Request to Inspect Register of Interests
The Register of Interests may be inspected by any member of the public during the normal business hours of the Commission.
A member of the public who wishes to allege or make a complaint that a person in public life has a conflict of interest in relation to the Register of Interests may do so in writing to the Registrar, Integrity Commission.
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