A recliner fitting for a vehicle seat, the recliner fitting can be arranged between a seat base and a backrest at each side thereof with each side of the recliner fitting being connected by a shaft (7, 92, 94) connected to a hand lever for unlocking each recliner fitting to adjust an angle of the backrest relative to the seat base, the fitting comprising: a first fitting part which can be connected to one of the seat base and the backrest; a second fitting part which can be connected to the other of the seat base and the backrest, the first fitting part and the second fitting part being mounted to be rotatable relative to each other about an axis of rotation, the second fitting part including inwardly facing toothing which extends along at least a portion of an arc; a locking device with a driving element connected to the shaft (7, 92, 94) and locking elements movable in response to rotation of the shaft (7, 92, 94), each of the locking elements having a radial outward side with at least one tooth for engaging the toothing of the second fitting part when the locking element is in a locking position, one of the first fitting part and the second fitting part having an outer surface defining a recess having a recess surface with an end surface; characterised by a handle load element (50, 80) with a connected clip element (40, 70), the clip element (40, 70) being connected to the driving element, the handle load element (50, 80) being fixed to the shaft (7, 92, 94) and extending radially outward from the shaft (7, 92, 94) and including a cam arrangement for following the recess surface and forming a stop with the end surface to limit movement of the cam arrangement and to prevent a transfer of high loads from the hand lever to the locking device (19, 27). a first fitting part which can be connected to one of the seat base and the backrest; a second fitting part which can be connected to the other of the seat base and the backrest, the first fitting part and the second fitting part being mounted to be rotatable relative to each other about an axis of rotation, the second fitting part including inwardly facing toothing which extends along at least a portion of an arc; a locking device with a driving element connected to the shaft (7, 92, 94) and locking elements movable in response to rotation of the shaft (7, 92, 94), each of the locking elements having a radial outward side with at least one tooth for engaging the toothing of the second fitting part when the locking element is in a locking position, one of the first fitting part and the second fitting part having an outer surface defining a recess having a recess surface with an end surface; characterised by a handle load element (50, 80) with a connected clip element (40, 70), the clip element (40, 70) being connected to the driving element, the handle load element (50, 80) being fixed to the shaft (7, 92, 94) and extending radially outward from the shaft (7, 92, 94) and including a cam arrangement for following the recess surface and forming a stop with the end surface to limit movement of the cam arrangement and to prevent a transfer of high loads from the hand lever to the locking device (19, 27).