Recorder, in English law, generally refers to a part-time judge of the crown court in England and Wales. They must be barristers (lawyers who can argue cases in the highest courts) or solicitors (lawyers who represent clients in lower courts) who have had at least 10 years experience. In Northern Ireland, recorders are the judges of the county courts at Belfast and at Derry.
Until 1971, recorders in England and Wales were judges in the quarter sessions (courts held four times a year) of a number of boroughs. The Courts Act of 1971 abolished quarter session courts.
See also Court .
