Opinion ID: 1960024
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: M.R. Civ. P. 53(b)

Text: [¶ 12] We review for an abuse of discretion a trial court's decision whether to appoint a referee. See George D. Ballard, Builder, Inc. v. City of Westbrook, 502 A.2d 476, 479 n. 4 (Me.1985); Hedberg v. Wallingford, 379 A.2d 126, 128 (Me. 1977). [2] The plain language of the rule establishes that absent an agreement of the parties, a motion for appointment of a referee is only granted in exceptional circumstances. See Frank v. Assessors of Skowhegan, 329 A.2d 167, 169 n. 3 (Me. 1974) (stating that [b]efore any order of reference without agreement may issue, showing must be made some exceptional condition warrants reference). [¶ 13] Lukas contends that all issues on appeal should have been referred because it is logistically difficult to try the issues in Probate Court over several non-consecutive days. Lukas further asserts that witnesses are being forced to appear several more times in the remaining trials, rather than having the convenience of appearing once before a referee on all matters over an estimated two week period. Accordingly, Lukas contends that the burden placed on the parties and witnesses by separate trials in the Probate Court create precisely the exceptional condition envisioned by Rule 53(b)(2). [¶ 14] Lukas directs our attention to a series of cases in which we approved a reference. See George D. Ballard, Builder, Inc., 502 A.2d at 479 n. 4; Bruk v. Town of Georgetown, 436 A.2d 894, 896-97 (Me.1981); Hedberg, 379 A.2d at 127-28. Because the parties agreed to a reference in each of those cases, however, we did not address the restrictive language of Rule 53(b)(2). [3] Here, because the parties did not agree to the reference, Lukas first bears the burden of establishing that this case involves an exceptional condition, and if so, that the court abused its discretion in denying the reference. Although the length of the trials and relative inconvenience to the parties and witnesses may constitute an exceptional condition, we cannot conclude that the court abused its discretion in denying Lukas's motion for reference based on the logistical difficulties of trying the case in the Probate Court. See, e.g., 1 FIELD, MCKUSICK & WROTH, MAINE CIVIL PRACTICE § 53.1 at 698 (2d ed.1970) (stating that in the absence of agreement by the parties, the rule puts a tight damper on appointment of referees).