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 North Carolina, a special master or 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, managing written questions, and handling the production of documents. The appointment of a special master is typically justified under exceptional conditions, such as when the discovery process involves the examination of highly technical and complex documents that require expertise from someone with both technical and legal knowledge. The role of the special master is to streamline the process, ensure efficiency, and make recommendations to the judge on how to resolve disputes related to the discovery. The use of special masters is governed by the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure and relevant case law, which provide the legal framework for their appointment and duties.