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 Iowa, 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 includes overseeing depositions, written questions, and the production of documents. The appointment of a special master is typically justified under exceptional conditions, such as when the discovery process involves highly technical and complex documents that require the expertise of someone with both technical knowledge and a legal background. Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 1.902 allows for the appointment of a special master by the court, and the special master's role and authority are defined by the court's order. The special master reports to the judge and makes recommendations on how to resolve discovery-related disputes, but the final decisions rest with the judge. The use of special masters is intended to streamline the legal process and provide specialized expertise in cases where it is deemed necessary.