A Special Master is a court-appointed expert who assists in resolving complex disputes or overseeing specific aspects of a case. They review documents, make recommendations, and perform other tasks as directed by the court. Special Masters are required when search warrants target documents controlled by attorneys, physicians, psychotherapists, or clergy, as they ensure an unbiased review of potentially sensitive or privileged materials. The appointment of a Special Master is at the discretion of the presiding Judge, who may grant a request from a party involved in the case. Qualified attorneys often serve as Special Masters, and their role and tasks are agreed upon with the Judge. In the review of documents, Special Masters determine relevance and identify privileged materials, providing recommendations on document admissibility.
