In Trinidad and Tobago, the Speaker, or in his absence the Deputy Speaker, presides over each sitting of the House of Representatives, acts as Chairman of Committees of the House and enforces the observance of all rules for preserving order in its proceedings. As a result he maintains order, enforces the rules as is necessary, interprets Standing Orders and practices of the House, deals with points of order and gives rulings when called upon to do so.
The Speaker is considered the guardian of the privileges of the Members of the House of Representatives and the chief characteristics required are authority and impartiality. The Speaker is also responsible for the management and general administration of the House.
The Constitution provides that when the House of Representatives first meets after any general election and before it proceeds to the dispatch of any other business, it shall elect a person to be the Speaker of the House from among members of the House who are not Ministers or Parliamentary Secretaries. Persons who are not Members of either the House of Representatives or the Senate may also be elected provided he is a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago and is not disqualified for election as a Member of the House of Representatives.
The Speaker of the House is fifth in the Order of Precedence of Trinidad and Tobago.
The Honourable Jagdeo Singh, MP
Mr. Jagdeo Singh was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives on May 23, 2025 at the start of the 13th Republican Parliament.
He is an attorney at law, who has served as Head of Chambers and Lead Counsel at Fortis Chambers. He was called to the bar in 1989.
Mr. Singh has years of experience and success in high-profile criminal appellate cases. He has also conducted civil litigation as Counsel in the judicial system. His practice has led to several advancements in several areas such as customs law, construction law and commercial law.
His legal practise has diversified over the years where he has also appeared before the Tax Appeal Board, Industrial Court and Family Court, Tribunals, Public Service Appeal Board, Employment Tribunals, Disciplinary Tribunals, Equal Opportunity Commission as well as the Equal Opportunity Tribunal, Environmental Commission and Mediation Centres.
Mr. Singh served on the Law Reform Commission from 2011 to 2017.