Recalled Judges in the United States

Senior and Recalled Judges and the Federal Courts

In the words of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts: Court of appeals, district court, and Court of International Trade judges have life tenure, and they may retire if they are at least 65 years old and meet certain years of service requirements. Most Article III judges who are eligible to retire decide to continue to hear cases on a full-time or part-time basis as “senior judges.” Retired bankruptcy, magistrate, and Court of Federal Claims judges also may be “recalled” to active service. Without the efforts of senior and recalled judges, the judiciary would need many more judges to handle its cases.