A special master or master in chancery is an individual appointed by the court to assist with some part of a lawsuit, such as discovery—depositions, written questions, and production of documents—and to make recommendations to the judge on how to resolve related disputes. Courts have held that discovery questions that require extensive examination of highly technical and complex documents by a person having both a technical and a legal background may constitute an exceptional condition sufficient to justify the appointment of a master to supervise such discovery.

In Alabama, a special master, also known as a master in chancery, can be appointed by the court to assist with complex aspects of a lawsuit, particularly during the discovery phase. This appointment is typically made under Rule 53 of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, which allows for the appointment of a special master in cases where the issues are complicated and require specialized expertise that a judge may not possess. The role of the special master is to manage the discovery process, which may include overseeing depositions, written questions, and the production of documents. They also make recommendations to the judge on how to resolve disputes related to discovery. The appointment of a special master is considered an exceptional measure, justified when the discovery involves the examination of highly technical and complex documents that necessitate both technical and legal expertise. The use of a special master is intended to ensure a more efficient and informed handling of such matters within the legal proceedings.