What is the difference between adjournment and recess?

Adjournment vs Recess

Adjournment is the official termination of a meeting. Recess is a short break or brief intermission during a meeting.

A putting off or postponing of proceedings; an ending or dismissal of further business by a court, legislature, or public official – either temporarily or permanently.

If an adjournment is final, it is said to be sine die, “without day” or without a time fixed to resume the work. An adjournment is different from a recess, which is only a short break in proceedings.

In legislatures, adjournment officially marks the end of a regular session. Both state and federal lawmakers vote to determine when to adjourn. The exact timing depends upon multiple factors such as work load, election schedules, and the level of comity among lawmakers. Because a session can end with unfinished legislative business, adjournment is commonly used as a means of political leverage in securing or delaying action on important matters.

Recess is a break in a trial or other court proceedings or a legislative session until a date and time certain. Recess is not to be confused with “adjournment” which winds up the proceedings.

Recess, in a legal context, refers to a break in a trial or other court proceedings or a legislative session until a defined date and time in the future. Recess is distinguished from an “adjournment” which winds up the proceedings.