Legal Definitions - standing master

A standing master is an official appointed by a court to assist a judge by handling specific, often complex or routine, aspects of cases on an ongoing or semi-permanent basis. Unlike a judge, who is typically elected or appointed for a fixed term and presides over all aspects of a case, a standing master is delegated particular duties, such as conducting hearings, making factual findings, or overseeing discovery, to help manage the court's caseload and specialized issues. Their recommendations or findings are usually subject to review and final approval by a judge.

• Example 1: Family Law Financial Disputes

  In a busy family court, a judge might appoint a standing master to handle all initial financial disclosures and calculations for divorce cases. For instance, if a couple is divorcing and has complex assets and income streams, the standing master could be tasked with reviewing tax returns, bank statements, and business valuations, then calculating potential child support and alimony figures based on established guidelines. The standing master would then present their findings and recommendations to the presiding judge, who would make the final decision.

  This illustrates the role of a standing master by showing them managing a specific, often time-consuming and detailed aspect of many cases (financial analysis in divorce) on an ongoing basis, thereby freeing up the judge's time for other matters.

• Example 2: Complex Commercial Litigation Discovery

  Imagine a large lawsuit between two corporations involving allegations of patent infringement. The discovery phase, where both sides exchange information and documents, could involve millions of electronic files and numerous disputes over what information is relevant or privileged. A court might appoint a standing master specifically to oversee this discovery process. This master would resolve disputes about document production, manage timelines for exchanging information, and ensure compliance with discovery orders, reporting back to the judge only on major impasses or violations.

  This example demonstrates a standing master's function in managing highly specialized and voluminous procedural aspects of complex litigation, ensuring efficiency and fairness in a specific area without requiring constant judicial intervention.

• Example 3: Probate Estate Administration

  In a probate court, where wills are validated and estates are administered, a standing master might be assigned to oversee the routine administration of numerous estates. For instance, if a person passes away and their will needs to be probated, the standing master could review the inventory of assets, ensure all creditors are properly notified, and verify that the executor is following legal procedures for distributing the estate. The master would then submit a report to the probate judge for final approval of the estate's closing.

  Here, the standing master handles the detailed, often standardized tasks involved in many probate cases, ensuring that legal requirements are met efficiently before the judge grants final approval, showcasing their role in managing a specific type of ongoing caseload.