Since others covered the legal angle and I'm not a lawyer anyway, just thought I'd mention another angle, which is that of having evidence in a dispute, even if it doesn't reach court. I know someone who had an issue at work and they were able to record the audio, which helped them in bringing up the issue to HR (they actually told the person they were gonna do it and the person was like "yeah, record me" 🙃 ).

Cause ya know, without that, it's very easy for someone to deny their part in it after the fact or downplay what they said or did. I've always heard with workplaces that it means little if it's not in writing, probably for similar reasons. But like others said, wise to look up local laws for recording in any case.