The order may specify or limit the master's powers or duties, the issue on which a report is to be made, or the time within which a hearing shall be held or a report filed, or specify that the master merely take and report evidence. Except as so limited the master shall have and exercise power to regulate all proceedings before the master; to administer oaths and to do all acts and take all measures appropriate for the efficient performance of the master's duties; to compel production before the master of any witness or party whom the master may examine, or of any evidence on any matters embraced in the reference, and to rule on admissibility of evidence. The master shall, on request, make a record of evidence offered and excluded. The master may appoint a shorthand reporter whose fees shall be advanced by the requesting party.
Rule 1.937.Powers
Division IX: Trial and Judgment · Last amended February 15, 2002 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1.937 lets the order of appointment define or limit a master's powers and deadlines, and otherwise gives the master broad default authority to regulate proceedings, administer oaths, compel evidence, rule on admissibility, and appoint a shorthand reporter.
Full Text of Rule 1.937
Plain-English Summary
The order appointing a master is the master's rulebook. Rule 1.937 lets that order specify or limit the master's powers or duties, the issue a report must cover, the time for a hearing or report, or even confine the master to taking and reporting evidence without ruling on anything.
Where the order does not limit things, the master's default authority is broad. The master can regulate all proceedings before the master, administer oaths, and take whatever measures are appropriate to perform the assigned duties efficiently. The master can compel production of any witness or party for examination, or of evidence bearing on matters within the reference, and rule on whether evidence is admissible. On request, the master must make a record of evidence offered and excluded — preserving the record for later review — and may appoint a shorthand reporter, with the fees advanced by the party that asked for one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the court limit what a master is allowed to do?
Yes. Rule 1.937 lets the order of appointment specify or limit the master's powers or duties, the issue to be reported on, applicable deadlines, or confine the master to only taking and reporting evidence.
Does a master have authority to compel a witness to testify?
Yes, absent a limiting order. Rule 1.937 gives the master power to compel production of any witness or party the master may examine, or of evidence on matters embraced in the reference.
Can a master rule on whether evidence is admissible?
Yes. Rule 1.937 gives the master authority to rule on admissibility of evidence, unless the appointment order limits that power.
Does the master have to keep a record of evidence that is excluded?
On request, yes. Rule 1.937 requires the master to make a record of evidence offered and excluded.
Who pays for a shorthand reporter the master appoints?
Rule 1.937 requires the fees of a shorthand reporter appointed by the master to be advanced by the party who requested one.
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
Also known as: iowa master powers rulereferee authority to compel witness iowamaster ruling on evidence admissibility iowashorthand reporter master iowa rule