Recorder - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition recorder

Definition :

Recorder, in municipal boroughs having a separate Court of Quarter Sessions, a barrister of five years' standing at least, appointed by the Crown, holding office during good behaviour, and receiving 'such yearly salary not exceeding that stated in the petition on which the grant of a separate Court of Quarter Sessions was made,' as the sovereign directs. He is sole judge of the Court of Quarter Sessions, 'having cognizance of all crimes, offences, and matters cognizable by Courts of Quarter Sessions in England,' except that he may not grant licences or hear licensing appeals under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Acts, or levy rates (Municipal Corporations Act, 1882, ss. 162, 165). He may appoint as 'deputy recorder' a barrister of five years' standing, in case of sickness or unavoidable absence, and an 'assistant recorder' if it appears that the Quarter Sessions are likely to last more than three days (ibid., s. 168), as amended by the Summary Jurisdiction (Appeals) Act (23 & 24 Geo. 5, c. 38).

Recorders also existed in some of the places (see a list in the schedule to the Municipal Corporations Act, 1883) not subject to the Municipal Corporations Act, 1882.