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 West Virginia, a special master or master in chancery is an appointee of the court who assists with specific aspects of a lawsuit, particularly in the discovery process. This includes overseeing depositions, managing written inquiries, 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 knowledge and a legal background. The use of a special master is intended to streamline the legal process and provide specialized support to the court in resolving disputes related to the discovery phase. The recommendations made by a special master are considered by the judge in making final decisions on the matters at hand. West Virginia courts follow the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and state statutes in determining when and how to appoint a special master, ensuring that their involvement is warranted and beneficial to the judicial process.