Former chief magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls has returned to the legal fraternity after a long battle with cancer. Mc Nicolls was warmly welcomed yesterday by acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Rajendra Rambachan in the San Fernando First Court, where he appeared as defence lawyer for a young man from his community charged with several fraud offences.
The former magistrate resigned in December 2010, a year after he went on leave after being diagnosed with cancer. "It is good to see you after so long," Rambachan told Mc Nicolls, who returned the courtesy, saying it was an honour to appear before him. Rambachan, who is acting for Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington who is on vacation, told Mc Nicolls he wanted to call him to tell him about his temporary position.
"I wanted to share it with you and look I got to see you," he said. Mc Nicolls said he looked forward to his next appearance before him. However, he mentioned the heat in the courtroom, and Rambachan replied: "It is terrible." In an interview afterwards, a smiling Mc Nicolls said he was doing much better and last December he opened his private practice at his New Grant home. "It is comfortable and I can rest when I want to," he added.
While he would not be taking on a heavy workload, Mc Nicolls said he would see any client who walked into his office. "I am not turning away anyone," he said, adding he also worked without payment. He said he tried to assist people in any way he could, including counselling and advice. "I am truly enjoying it," he said, thanking God for the great improvement in his health.