Horton v. Ferrell

Ray Thornton, Justice.

In this appeal dealing with the appropriate role of a special master appointed in a civil case, appellant contends that a special master is a judge subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct, and that when the special master declined to disqualify himself after relying upon ex parte communications, the trial court committed reversible error when it did not discharge the master and strike his report. We agree and remand for further proceedings.

The case developed as an accounting action following the dissolution of a partnership for growing tomatoes conducted by the parties…