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 Hawaii, a special master, also known as a master in chancery, is an individual appointed by the court to assist in complex aspects of a lawsuit, such as managing the discovery process. This can include overseeing depositions, handling written questions, and supervising the production of documents. The appointment of a special master is particularly common in cases where the discovery involves highly technical or complex documents that require detailed examination by someone with both technical expertise and legal knowledge. Hawaii courts may determine that such circumstances present an 'exceptional condition' that justifies the appointment of a special master to ensure efficient and effective management of the discovery process. The use of special masters is governed by the Hawaii Rules of Civil Procedure and relevant case law, which provide the framework for when and how a special master can be appointed and what their role will entail in the litigation process.