Opinion ID: 2975585
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Reference to the Special Master

Text: Finally, NP contends “[t]he referral of the legal fee issue to the Special Master was not authorized under Fed. R. Civ. P. 53 and the procedures there specified were not followed.” A district court may appoint a master to “perform duties consented to by the parties.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 53(a)(1)(A). Pursuant to Rule 53, on April 5, 2004, the district court entered a stipulated order of reference appointing the Special Master to determine “the issue of NP’s liability and damages.” While the order did not explicitly authorize the Special Master to determine NP’s liability for attorneys’ fees, such issue clearly pertains to NP’s liability and damages. Like the issue of NP’s liability for AWD lease obligations, NP’s liability for attorneys’ fees was determined pursuant to NP’s guaranty of AWHI’s indemnity obligations under the Agreement. Consequently, it cannot be said that the Special Master was without authority in determining NP’s liability for attorneys’ fees.