Upon appointment the master shall notify the parties of the time and place of their first meeting, which shall be within 20 days or such other time as the court's order may fix. If a party so notified fails to appear, the master may proceed ex parte, or, in the master's discretion, adjourn to a future day, giving notice thereof to the absent party. It is the duty of the master to proceed with all reasonable diligence; and the court, after notice to the master and the parties, may order the master to expedite proceedings or make a report.
Rule 1.938.Speedy hearing
Division IX: Trial and Judgment · Last amended February 15, 2002 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1.938 requires a master to notify parties of the first meeting within 20 days of appointment (or as the court orders), allows proceeding ex parte or adjourning if a party fails to appear, and requires reasonable diligence with court oversight.
Full Text of Rule 1.938
Plain-English Summary
Rule 1.938 puts the master's proceedings on a clock. Once appointed, the master must notify the parties of the time and place of the first meeting, and that meeting has to happen within 20 days of the appointment, or whatever other time the court's order sets.
If a party who received notice fails to show up, the master has options: proceed without that party, or, in the master's discretion, adjourn to a later day, with notice going to the absent party about the new date. Either way, the rule holds the master to a duty of reasonable diligence in moving the matter forward. If the master is not moving quickly enough, the court — after giving notice to both the master and the parties — can order the master to speed up the proceedings or produce a report.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after being appointed must a master schedule the first meeting with the parties?
Within 20 days of appointment, or such other time as the court's order may fix, under Rule 1.938.
What happens if a party does not show up to the master's scheduled meeting?
Rule 1.938 lets the master proceed ex parte, or, in the master's discretion, adjourn to a future day while giving notice of the new date to the absent party.
Is the master required to move the case along quickly?
Yes. Rule 1.938 makes it the master's duty to proceed with all reasonable diligence.
Can the court intervene if the master is moving too slowly?
Yes. Rule 1.938 lets the court, after notice to the master and the parties, order the master to expedite proceedings or make a report.
Who sets the deadline for the master's first meeting if the court's order specifies one?
The court's own order controls. Rule 1.938 uses the 20-day period as the default, but allows the court's order to fix a different time instead.
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 first meeting deadlinereferee speedy hearing rule iowamaster ex parte proceeding iowacourt order expedite master iowa