Master in chancery

An officer in courts of equity or chancery to whom are referred questions of fact by the court, and authorized to summon witnesses and to take their testimony. Originally he was the chief clerk. See 99 111. 501, 39 Am. Rep. 34.

An officer of a court of chancery who acts as an assistant to the judge or chancellor. His office is to inquire into such matters as may be referred to him by the court, examine eausdb, take testimony, take accounts, compute damages, etc., reporting his findings to the court in such shape that a decree may be made; also to take oaths and affidavits and acknowledgments of deeds. In modem practice, many of the functions of a master are performed by clerks, commissioners, auditors, and referees, and in some jurisdictions the office has been superseded. See Kimberly v. Arms, 129 U. S. 512, 9 Sup. Ct 355, 32 In Ed. 764; Sehuchardt v. People, 99 111. 501, 39 Am. Rep. 34.

Defined under Master in Black's Law Dictionary.