special master
Judicial fact-finder
A special master is a person appointed by a court to handle specific tasks the judge doesn't have time or expertise for—overseeing discovery disputes, managing complex evidence, or supervising compliance with court orders.
Special masters appear in cases involving technical matters, massive document reviews, or ongoing institutional reform: The judge appointed a special master to review the seized documents.
Designated by a judge
- refereeSports rule enforcer
- arbitratorOne who resolves disputes
- mediatorNeutral conflict resolver
- neutralNot favoring any side
expert · facilitator · adjudicator · examiner · fact-finder · receiver · monitor · trustee
Legal authority's scope
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
- appointmentScheduled time for something
judicial authority · subpoena power · enforcement · discretion · ruling · order · findings · recommendation
Act of finding something
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- reviewCritical written assessment
audit · evaluation · inspection · investigation · fact-finding · settlement · mediation · arbitration
Perceiving sound waves
- litigationLegal dispute process
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
deposition · briefing · report · findings · recommendation · ruling · motion · conference
court-appointed
Designated by a judge
- refereeSports rule enforcer
- arbitratorOne who resolves disputes
- mediatorNeutral conflict resolver
neutral · expert · facilitator · adjudicator · examiner · fact-finder · receiver · monitor · trustee · custodian
jurisdiction
Legal authority's scope
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
appointment · judicial authority · subpoena power · enforcement · discretion · ruling · order · findings · recommendation · decision
discovery
Act of finding something
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
review · audit · evaluation · inspection · investigation · fact-finding · settlement · mediation · arbitration · supervision
hearing
Perceiving sound waves
- litigationLegal dispute process
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
evidence · deposition · briefing · report · findings · recommendation · ruling · motion · conference · submission
- court appointeespublic defender, court interpreter, court reporter, child advocate, referee
- court rolesjudge, juror, plaintiff, defendant, prosecutor
- investigatorsdetective, investigator, inspector, sleuth, gumshoe
- court personneljudge, bailiff, court reporter, court clerk, law clerk
- judgesjudge, magistrate, magistrates, jurist, chief justice
- special courtsmilitary tribunal, war crimes tribunal, war crimes court, revolutionary tribunal, court martial
special masterpresiding judge
Official overseeing court proceedings
trial judge · district court judge · chief justice · chief judge · district judge
special, master, specialize, specialized, specialization, specialist, specialty, specially, especial