A special master is a court officer appointed by a judge to assist with investigations, administer civil claims, and handle complex disputes. They may have technical expertise and a support staff, but their authority and responsibility can be criticized.
A special master is a court officer who performs special duties at the request of a judge. A judge may appoint a special master to assist with the investigation and documentation in a case, as well as to administer civil claims. Usually, an attorney serves as the special master, although a person with specialized experience applicable to the case at hand may also be considered for appointment. Such positions are relatively unusual.
The extent of a special master’s responsibilities may vary, depending on the case, the court and the country in which the person is appointed. In a case with highly technical aspects, a judge may appoint someone to investigate and provide advice and information to help the judge understand the material being heard. Judges, while law experts, may not necessarily be familiar with the technical trades and other matters, and may use expert advice during a case hearing to ensure they fully understand the material under discussion.
A judge may also choose to appoint a special master to handle complex disputes, particularly in civil cases involving the government. Individuals with a complaint about the case can contact this court official and provide material to support their claims, such as verifying that they are indeed members of the class named in a class action lawsuit. Special masters process applications on behalf of the court and government, offering payments as appropriate and conducting inquiries of other applicants to ensure they are eligible.
A special master is often appointed in complex cases where handling complaints requires technical expertise. The judge selects a person with appropriate legal and professional experience. This court officer also has a support staff and may select staff members with special skills or areas of training to ensure they provide appropriate levels of service and assistance to individuals with complaints. Staff can assist with investigations, complaint processing, and the generation of court records.
The scope of authority and responsibility conferred upon individuals in this position is sometimes criticised. In the United States, where special masters have the potential to wield considerable authority in government cases, some people believe they are acting as an extra-judicial one, with the same authority as the judicial system without the natural checks and balances. If a special master denies a complaint, for example, it can be difficult and sometimes impossible to appeal, because the special master’s office is responsible for all complaint procedures, including any theoretical appeals.
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