Court Opinion

ID: 9619247
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 05:24:53.228576+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:28:29.191559
License: Public Domain

BURKE, Chief Justice,
dissenting in part.
I disagree with that part of the court’s opinion holding that it was error to refer this matter to a master.
The absence of language comparable to that found in Federal Rule 53(b) suggests, as acknowledged by the majority, that the Alaska rule was intended to allow the use of masters in the broader category than is allowed in the federal system. The express language of Alaska’s Rule 53 certainly does not prohibit the reference made in this case.
It may be possible to conclude that the use of a master here was an abuse of discretion, but I don’t think that conclusion follows from the discussion contained in the court’s opinion. While a master’s report may include conclusions of law “if required,” Civil Rule 53 makes it clear that such conclusions are not entitled to the same degree of deference as are a master’s findings of fact. The latter must be accepted (in a non-jury case) "unless clearly erroneous,” but the master’s conclusions of law are in no way binding on the trial judge. Thus, the use of a master does not in and of itself mean that the trial judge will abdicate his or her responsibility for deciding questions of law, nor should that fact be presumed. If there is to be any presumption, it should run the other way.
The record in this ease indicates that the trial judge, Judge Victor D. Carlson, read the master’s report and the objections thereto, was familiar with the record, and that he accepted the report only after considering the arguments of counsel. Thus, although he reached the same conclusions as Master Brown, I see no reason to suppose that he simply rubber-stamped those conclusions. On the contrary, I think it can be fairly said that Judge Carlson reached his decision only after independent consideration of the issues presented. If, however, the court believes that he did otherwise, the opinion should say so in no uncertain terms; but I have been unable to find anything in the record supporting that conclusion other than the bare fact the case *330was referred to a master. To me, that alone is not a sufficient reason for saying that Judge Carlson acted improperly.
Also, the “rule” announced today provides little guidance for those that will be expected to follow it in future cases. The opinion seems to say that Civil Rule 53 is broader than the federal rule, but not broad enough to allow the use of masters in (1) “a case such as this;” (2) cases involving “such an issue as a fraudulent conveyance;” (3) a case “likely to entail the resolution of complicated questions of law;” (4) cases involving “questions of law such as the determination of disputed property rights;” and/or (5) those cases in which the master acts as the presiding officer in an “evidentiary hearing,” such as in the case at bar. If we intend to limit the use of masters, I think we are required to do so by means of a rule having considerably more certainty than this. The language of the court’s opinion can only generate confusion.
Finally, the use of masters is a subject best considered under our rule making power. Given the considerable impact that any change in the present practice may have on the operation of our trial courts, I think it is a matter that should be approached with extreme caution, and only after consultation with representatives of the bar and the trial courts. In my judgment, it is poor policy to implement such a rule change by the method used here unless it is constitutionally required.
I concur in all other parts of the court’s opinion.