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LEGAL UNIT

The Legal Unit oversees the legal and regulatory requirements of the Ministry of Transport and Works. It provides legal advice to various departments and sections within the ministry pertaining to legislative matters, claims for damage to personal property and personal injury, land acquisitions, and any other matters of a legal nature that the Unit is instructed to work on.  

536-0054/57

Responsibilities of
the Legal Unit

  • Facilitates and investigates claims of compensation for damage to motor vehicles due to road defects
  • Facilitates and investigates claims of compensation to property other than damage to vehicles
  • Facilitates and investigates personal injury claims
  • Prepares and reviews contracts and provides legal advice and guidance on contractual matters within the Ministry
  • Prepares legislative instructions to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel to amend existing legislation or to draft new legislation
  • Prepares Rally directions and Traffic Directions for publication in the Official Gazette
  • Provides legal advice to internal departments and sections as required.

LEGISLATION

The Legal Unit prepares legislative instructions to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel to amend existing legislation or to draft new legislation. Legislation that falls under the Ministry of Transport and Works purview is as follows:
Highways Act Cap 289
Preventions of Floods Cap 235
Public Works Cap 32
The Road Traffic Act and Regulations Cap 295
The Transport Authority Act and Regulations Cap 295A

COMPENSATION CLAIMS

Vehicle Damage

The Legal Unit investigates and submits recommendations to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry in respect of claims from the general public seeking compensation for damage to motor vehicles where the value of the claims submitted do not exceed $2,500.00. Where the value of vehicular claims exceeds the stated amount, the Legal Unit submits opinions on the Ministry’s liability to the Solicitor General’s Chambers.

Personal Injury

The Legal Unit investigates and prepares recommendations on liability with respect to personal injury claims for the determination of the Solicitor General

Other Claims

The Legal Unit also addresses claims for compensation to property other than damage to vehicles. These matters are treated similarly to those of vehicular claims, in that they are investigated and opinions on the Ministry’s liability are prepared.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPENSATION CLAIMS

If you have any other questions – please get in touch at mtw.legalunit@publicworks.gov.bb

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How can I claim compensation for vehicular damage due to a pothole?

Category: Legal

If you believe your vehicle was damaged due to a pothole or another road defect, you will be required to repair the damage. After that, you may seek compensation from the Ministry of Transport and Works (MTW) by submitting a letter to:

The Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Transport and Works
Pine East-West Boulevard
The Pine, St. Michael

OR

Email: mtw.legalunit@publicworks.gov.bb

Your letter should include the following details:

  • The date, time, and location of the incident
  • Your contact information
  • If possible, photos of the incident: get a variety of angles of the damage, the road and the wider location
  • Photos of any damage to your vehicle
  • A copy of your valid driver’s licence
  • A copy of the insurance coverage for the vehicle
  • A copy of the vehicle’s registration card or receipt issued by the BLA
  • Proof that your vehicle was repaired: submit receipts for the relevant repairs to the vehicle. Receipts must include the name, address and contact information of supplier or service provider

After you submit your claim to MTW, the incident will be investigated. Once it is determined that the Ministry is at fault, you will be reimbursed. For more information, you may contact the Legal Unit at 536-0054.

a

How can I submit a personal injury claim due to poor road infrastructure?

Category: Legal

If you believe you were injured due to poor road infrastructure, you may seek compensation from the Ministry of Transport and Works (MTW) by submitting a letter to:

The Permanent Secretary
 Ministry of Transport and Works
 Pine East-West Boulevard
 The Pine, St. Michael

OR

Email: mtw.legalunit@publicworks.gov.bb

Your letter should include the following details:

  • The date, time, and location of the incident
  • Photographs and other supporting evidence of the incident and injury, such as police, medical and insurance reports
  • A copy of a valid form of identification
  • Receipts for the relevant medical attention such as doctor visits and medication. Receipts must include the name, address, and contact information of the supplier or service provider.

Once your claim has been submitted to MTW, it will be investigated. Please note that the final determination on liability rests with the Solicitor General and not MTW’s Legal Unit. For more information, you may contact the Legal Unit at 536-0054.

Ministry of Transport & Works

Temporary address:

2nd Floor 
The Goddard Building
Haggatt Hall
St. Michael
Bridgetown, Barbados

PBX: 246-536-0000
psmtwm@barbados.gov.bb
information.unit@publicworks.gov.bb

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