Recorder (judge)

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In the Courts of England and Wales, a Recorder is a barrister or solicitor of at least 10 years standing who is appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Lord Chancellor to hold part-time judicial office. A Recorder acting as such has all the powers of a Circuit judge and may sit in the Crown Court or in the County Court. If appointed under s 9(1) of the Supreme Court Act 1981, a Recorder may sit as a part time High Court Judge.

The Recorder of London is a senior Circuit Judge sitting at the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey). The office has an ancient association with the City of London.

The senior circuit judge of a metropolitan area, for example Manchester, Liverpool or Cardiff, may have the title Honorary Recorder. The practice for appointment of Honorary Recorders is now to be found in the Lord Chief Justice's Guidelines for the Appointment of Honorary Recorders issued in October 2007.

[edit] United States

In some U.S. jurisdictions, the Recorder's Court is a local court of limited jurisdiction, most often hearing misdemeanors, traffic violations, and other petty criminal offenses.

[edit] Biblical usage

In historic times, the recorder was the chancellor or vizier of the kingdom. He brought all weighty matters under the notice of the king, such as complaints, petitions, and wishes of subjects or foreigners. He also drew up papers for the king's guidance, and prepared drafts of the royal will for the scribes. All treaties came under his oversight; and he had the care of the national archives or records, to which, as royal historiographer, he added the current annals of the kingdom.