Recorder (judge) - Recorders As Part-time Appointments

Recorders As Part-time Appointments

Since 1971, a system of part-time appointments has been in place in England and Wales, designed to give experience of judicial office to those not yet ready to take a full-time appointment. It is now the practice to require all full-time appointees to have had some part-time judicial experience. The part-time appointees were initially designated as "Assistant Recorders", with a view to promotion to full "Recorders". The position of Assistant Recorder no longer exists, and all appointments are made as "Recorders".

Appointments are made by the Crown by Royal Warrant, on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor. Since 2006, however, the Lord Chancellor's recommendations are based upon an independent appointments process supervised by the Judicial Appointments Commission.

In the Courts of England and Wales, a Recorder is a barrister or solicitor. Recorders were originally required to be of at least 10 years' standing, though that requirement has been reduced in recent years to 7 years' standing. Recorders are 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 to do so under section 9(1) of the Supreme Court Act 1981, a Recorder may sit as a part-time High Court Judge.

A Recorder is paid a daily fee and is expected to sit as a judge for between 3 and 6 weeks a year.

There are also recorders in the courts of Hong Kong.