Justice Ivol Blackman handed over a copy of his book “Post Capitulation Trinidad (1797 – 1947): Aspects of Laws, the Judicial System, and the Government” to Nalis on September 18.  At the handing over ceremony, Justice Blackman said that he thought it fitting to present a copy of his book to Nalis given that he gathered some of his information from original research material available at the Heritage Library.

“Post Capitulation Trinidad (1797 – 1947): Aspects of Laws, the Judicial System, and the Government” chronicles the evolution of the law and judicial system in Trinidad during the given period.  In the book, Justice Blackman describes the economic structure in the colony and the changes that were introduced in the law. He also notes that in the early days, 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.

Justice 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 Honours of London University and is a Barrister at Law of Lincoln.

Justice Blackman, who was called to the inner Bar as a Senior Counsel in Trinidad and Tobago 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 Solicitor General