The President of the Senate presides over the sittings of the Senate and acts as Chairman of Committees of the whole Senate. He interprets the Standing Orders and has the power to regulate the conduct of business in all matters not provided for in the Standing Orders. The President of the Senate also acts temporarily as President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago where the office is vacant or when the President is incapable of performing his functions of President by reason of his absence from Trinidad and Tobago or by reason of illness.

The President of the Senate is fourth in the Order of Precedence of Trinidad and Tobago.