A "master" includes a referee, auditor or examiner. On a showing of exceptional conditions requiring it, the court may appoint a master as to any issues not to be tried to a jury. The clerk shall furnish the master with a copy of the order of appointment.
Rule 1.935.Reference to master
Division IX: Trial and Judgment · Last amended February 15, 2002 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1.935 lets the court appoint a master to handle non-jury issues on a showing of exceptional conditions, and defines a master to include a referee, auditor, or examiner.
Full Text of Rule 1.935
Plain-English Summary
Rule 1.935 opens the reference-to-master procedure by defining the term broadly: a "master" under this chapter includes a referee, auditor, or examiner, whatever title a particular appointment uses. That broad definition means the rules that follow apply regardless of which of those labels the court chooses.
Appointing a master is not routine. The court may do so only on a showing of exceptional conditions requiring it, and only as to issues that are not to be tried to a jury — reference to a master is a tool for non-jury matters, not a substitute for a jury trial. Once the appointment is made, the clerk furnishes the master with a copy of the order of appointment, which is what sets the master's authority and assignment in motion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a "master" under Iowa's civil procedure rules?
Rule 1.935 defines "master" to include a referee, auditor, or examiner, so the term covers all three roles for purposes of the rules governing reference procedure.
When can a court appoint a master?
Only on a showing of exceptional conditions requiring it, and only as to issues that are not to be tried to a jury, per Rule 1.935.
Can a master handle issues that would otherwise go to a jury?
No. Rule 1.935 limits appointment of a master to issues not to be tried to a jury.
How does a master learn the scope of the appointment?
The clerk furnishes the master with a copy of the order of appointment, which Rule 1.935 identifies as the document setting out the appointment.
Is appointing a master something a court does routinely?
No. Rule 1.935 requires exceptional conditions requiring the appointment, signaling that reference to a master is meant for unusual circumstances rather than ordinary case management.
Source & verification. Rule text and the Comment are
reproduced verbatim from the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the
Iowa Supreme Court. Last verified July 15, 2026.
· Official source
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