RECUPERATORES, Roman civil law. A species of judges originally established,  
it is supposed, to decide controversies between Roman citizens and 
strangers, concerning the right to the possession of property requiring 
speedy remedy; but gradually extended to questions which might be brought 
before ordinary judges. After this enlargement of their powers, the 
difference between them and judges, it is supposed, was simply this: If the 
praetor named three judges he called them recuperatores; if one, he called 
him judex. But opinions on this subject are very various. (Colman De Romano 
judicio recuperatorio,) Cicero's oration pro Coecin, 1, 3, was addressed to 
Recuperators.