What steps should I take if my Trinidad and Tobago lawyer breaches client confidentiality?

Under Trinidad and Tobago’s legal-ethics rules (the “Code of Professional Conduct” administered by the Trinidad and Tobago Bar Association), a solicitor is strictly bound by confidentiality and may disclose client information only with the client’s informed consent, a court order, or a narrowly defined exception (e.g., to prevent a serious crime). If you have credible evidence that your attorney discussed your case with a third party without your permission, you may (1) file a formal complaint with the Trinidad and Tobago Bar Association’s Disciplinary Committee (their online “Complaints” portal accepts self-filed submissions, so a separate lawyer is not required for the ethics complaint itself); you should attach any supporting evidence (emails, notes, witness statements) and a concise description of the breach. The Bar can investigate and, if misconduct is proven, impose sanctions ranging from a reprimand to suspension or disbarment. Separately, you may pursue a civil malpractice claim for any actual loss, reputational harm, or emotional distress caused by the breach; that claim typically a lawyer will draft the pleading, establish causation and damages, and navigate the court process. In short, you can lodge the ethics complaint on your own, but you’ll likely need counsel if you want to seek monetary compensation.