What term refers to a judge serving temporarily in a court?

The term that refers to a judge serving temporarily in a court is "Judge Pro Tempore." This designation indicates that the individual is appointed to fill in for a regular judge who may be unavailable due to various reasons such as illness, recusal, or scheduling conflicts. A Judge Pro Tempore typically has the same powers and responsibilities as a regular judge during their temporary tenure, allowing for the continuity of court proceedings.

Understanding this role is essential because it highlights how legal systems maintain functionality even when full-time judges are absent. The term "Pro Tempore," which is Latin for "for the time being," signifies that this is a temporary appointment and the individual will not necessarily hold the position long-term or have broader responsibilities outside the specific case or time they are assigned to.

Other titles such as magistrate, chief justice, and senior associate justice refer to specific positions or roles within the judiciary that generally involve more permanent, defined responsibilities that differ from the temporary nature of a Judge Pro Tempore.