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 Pennsylvania, a special master or master in chancery is appointed by the court to assist in complex aspects of a lawsuit, particularly in the discovery process. This can include 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 beyond the legal knowledge of the attorneys involved. The special master would have the necessary technical and legal background to effectively manage these aspects of the case. Their role is to streamline the process, reduce the burden on the court, and provide recommendations to the judge on how to resolve disputes related to the discovery process. The use of a special master is governed by the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, and their appointment is at the discretion of the court based on the specific needs of the case.