[JURIST] Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist [JURIST Newsmakers archive] returns to the US Supreme Court bench Monday to hear arguments, according to a Court spokesperson. Rehnquist is planning to attend the two arguments scheduled for this morning [JURIST agenda] in his first public appearance at the Court in 5 months. He has been on a severely limited schedule since he was hospitalized in October; he announced shortly thereafter that he had thyroid cancer. Rehnquist presided over a 2-hour US Judicial Conference [official website] session last Monday, and attendees reported he was in good humor and was moving under his own power. Rehnquist's illness has raised the possibility of his imminent retirement and prompted rampant speculation on who President Bush might nominate to succeed him as Chief Justice and fill the vacant spot on the high court bench. AP has more.