A judicial commissioner is person appointed on a non-permanent basis to a judicial office. In some countries, such as Malaysia and Singapore, judicial commissioners have the powers of full judges. In other jurisdictions their powers are limited.
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Malaysia
In Malaysia judicial commissioners are appointed for a term of two years.
Singapore
In Singapore judicial commissioners are appointed to the Supreme Court by the President of Singapore on the advice of the prime minister, and have the powers of a judge. A person may be appointed a judicial commissioner if he/she has been a "qualified person" within the meaning of section 2 of the Legal Profession Act and/or a member of the Singapore Legal Service for at least ten years. The appointment is for a specific period which is determined by the president. Many judicial commissioners go on to become judges of the supreme court, such as Andrew Phang Boon Leong, Belinda Ang Saw Ean, Tan Lee Meng and V K Rajah.
California
Superior court commissioners are subordinate judicial officers who are appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the superior court judges.
Tennessee
In Tennessee, judicial commissioners may be appointed at a county level to handle minor criminal matters.