AG extends condolences on passing of Mc Nicolls

AG Anand Ramlogan: "I...salute Mr McNicholls for his dedication to duty and service to country."

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan issued a statement Friday night on the death of former Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicholls, whom he descrinbed as "a quiet and dignified man, whose long and distinguished career in the magistracy should not be overwhelmed by the unfortunate controversy over his role in the Sat Sharma and Basdeo Panday matters." 

Ramlogan said Mc Nicolls would have done "thousands of cases during his time, and his hard work and sacrifice to serve the public at a critical time in the development of the magistracy should not be forgotten." 

He added, "I knew Mr Mc Nicholls personally and he possessed the temperament and reticence that is required for the office. 

"He served in courts across the length and breadth of the country and touched the lives of many. He served in an archaic system that struggled to cope with the sheer volume of cases, in the hope that justice could be done in "the poor man's court". It is a thankless job for which the monetary compensation is the least motivation. 

"His untimely passing should serve as a reminder of the yeoman service rendered by all judicial officers (and magistrates in particular, who deal with the vast majority of cases).

"Public officers often work long hours and perform thankless jobs. Mr Mc Nicholls's death is a powerful reminder of our frailty and mortality. It is important that we take proper care of our health and make time to enjoy life with our loved ones as well. Very few are aware of the extent of the sacrifice judicial officers make in the normal course of their duties. I therefore salute Mr McNicholls for his dedication to duty and service to country.

"It is important for us to remember that judicial officers are human. They are neither perfect nor infallible. Sometimes, mistakes are made, but the important thing is that our system of justice is strong and independent, and able to remedy the situation. We are very fortunate in this regard.

"On my own behalf and that of the entire Ministry of The Attorney General, I extend deepest condolences to the bereaved, in this their moment of grief."