Recorder

Recorder is a judge of a city or borough court of quarter sessions. He must be a barrister of not less than five years' standing, is appointed by the crown, holds office during good behaviour, and the salary is paid by the city or borough out of the borough fund. He sits as sole judge of the court of quarter sessions for his district, but he cannot grant licenses or be an official in licensing matters, or order rates to be levied. The recorder is not prohibited from practising at the bar, and indeed his salary is usually small. He can appoint as deputy, in case of necessity, a barrister of five years' standing, and, if need be, an assistant-recorder. In London he is elected by the Lord Mayor and aldermen, and as 'mouthpiece of the city' he certifies the customs of London. He is chief judge in the Mayor's Court of London, and is one of the judges sitting at the Central Criminal Court, commonly called the Old Bailey. Among the many well-known men who have held this post were Lord Coke and Lord-chancellor Jeffreys. There is no such office in Scotland, but the sheriff discharges similar duties.