from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
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.