Laww : 130-CH2 CRN : 14421. Name : Roger Rajkumar. Student no. : 00042401. Date : 19 th October, 2017. Subject : Explain The concept of the Separation of Power (S.O.P) and Discuss its relevance to the Caribbean Legal System as it relates to Trinidad and Tobago. The concept of the Separation of Power (S.O.P) and its relevance to the Caribbean Legal System as it relates to Trinidad and Tobago presently. “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely!” (Lord Acton, 1834-1902). This phrase appropriately demonstrates the reason for the separation of powers. The whole notion of separation of powers is that the idea of such power vested on the state must not be given to one person or a single group of individuals thus the principle goes as the powers should not be in the hands of one person due to individual's prejudices and biases and to provide for checks and balances. Though it can be traced back as far as ancient Greece, the name most recognized with the doctrine of the separation of powers is that of Baron Montesquieu (1689-1755), a nobleman, a judge in a French court, and one of the most influential political thinkers. As a result of his research he developed a number of political theories presented in the Spirit of the Laws (1748). He looked at certain elements that had not previously received such attention, more so the area of the judiciary, and he had given the doctrine a more important position than did most previous scholars. The concept of the principle behind separation of powers, is simply the three arms of government which are; the three powers of government operating independently of one another so that the rights and liberties of individuals are preserved, namely, (1) Legislative, (2) Judiciary and (3) the Executive. This Principle has been widely used in the development of many democracies since that time. Trinidad and Tobago being one such a country. Trinidad and Tobago is a Unitary State, governed by a democratic system. Unitary State exists in homogenous societies; there is one central government and all taxes goes back to the central government; one law making body and the laws made applies to the entire state. It is a single state. The Constitution also embodies the ‘separation of powers’ principle. This principle goes to the heart of our constitutional inheritance. Indeed, separation based on the rule of law is a ‘characteristic feature of democracies’. The principle is of particular significance to the administration of justice in the legal system. Caribbean courts have affirmed without reservation that the Constitution provides that judges are independent, impartial and separate from political interference and from the political arm of the government, so as to administer justice impartially. Further, the judiciary and the courts have a monopoly over the exercise of the judicial function. This was confirmed in the cases of Harrikissoon V Attorney-General of Trinidad and Tobago: PC 1980. The appellant teacher alleged that he had been transferred from one school to another without proper notice and as punishment. The appellant instead of following a laid out procedure