The word “Judge” denotes not only every person who is officially designated as a Judge, but also every person.

who is empowered by law to give, in any legal proceeding, civil or criminal, a definitive judgment, or a judgment which, if not appealed against, would be definitive, or a judgment which, if confirmed by some other authority, would be definitive, or

who is one of a body or persons, which body of persons is empowered by law to give such a judgment.

Illustrations

(a) A Collector exercising jurisdiction in a suit under Act 10 of 1859, is a Judge.

(b) A Magistrate exercising jurisdiction in respect of a charge on which he has power to sentence to fine or imprisonment,with or without appear, is a Judge.

(c) A member of a panchayat which has power, under ¹Regulation VII, 1816, of the Madras Code, to try and determine suits, suits, is a Judge.

(d) A Magistrate exercising jurisdiction in respect of a charge on which he has power only to commit for trial to another Court, is not a Judge.

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Footnote:

1. Rep. by the Madras Civil Courts Act, 1873 (3 of 1873).