Powell v. WegerPowell v. Weger
Lead Opinion
By petition for writ of certiorari the petitioners Powell, who were defendants in the lower court, seek review of an order of the Chancellor referring the cause to an examiner for the talcing of testimony over the objections of petitioners.
The point to be determined is whether a Chancellor may refer an entire case to a special examiner for the taking of testimony in the face of an objection by one of the parties.
Respondents Weger and Berger instituted proceedings against the petitioners Powell for the foreclosure of a mortgage. The Powells answered and counterclaimed asserting the defense of usury. After filing their reply to the counterclaim, the respondents, Weger and Berger, filed a motion asking the Chancellor either to hear the case himself or refer the matter to an examiner for the taking of testimony. Petitioners Powell objected to the reference of the cause to an examiner contending that in view of the nature of their defense it was important that the Chancellor himself hear the witnesses in order that he might have the benefit of observing their demean- or and other reactions from the witness stand.
The Chancellor disregarded the objections of the petitioners and referred the entire case, together with six others involving similar facts, to an examiner for the taking of testimony. The Judge gave as his reason for doing so the fact that his calendar was congested and that the order of reference would result in an expeditious disposition of the case. Review of this order is now sought.
The petitioners contend that there is no authority in our rules for the appointment of an examiner and that, even if there were, one should not be appointed to hear an entire case in the face of objection of one of the parties.
The respondents contend that our rules specifically authorize the appointment of an examiner in a chancery case and that there is no restriction short of abuse of discretion that would preclude a Chancellor from making such a reference.
The differences between an examiner and a special master without authority to make findings are really minor. While the special master is usually, but not necessarily, a lawyer, the special examiner is customarily a court reporter or stenographic expert commissioned likewise to administer oaths. We think there is no fundamental reason to apply to examiners different rules than we have applied to special masters.
We have held that our Constitution vests exclusive original jurisdiction of equity cases in the Circuit Courts. We have also taken note of the proposition that there is no constitutional provision affirmatively authorizing the delegation of any of the court’s powers to a master. See Section 11, Article V, Florida Constitution, F.S.A.
In Slatcoff v. Dezen, Fla.1954,
The function of a special examiner was recognized in Randall v. Twitchell,
The position of this Court with regard to the problem at hand is consistent with the rule of the Federal courts in construing
The position which we here announce is further supported by the recognized weight of authority. 19 Am. Jur., Equity, Sec. 371, p. 255. The essence of the reason for this rule is that when a cause comes to this Court on appeal, the decree of the Chancellor is accorded a presumption of correctness. The appellate tribunal has no opportunity to view the witnesses, to observe their demeanor and conduct on the witness stand. The appearance and reaction of the witnesses, their vocal inflection and their general demeanor often substantially influence the degree of credibility accorded their testimony.
When a litigant elects to present his cause before the trial judge, he is merely asserting a privilege assured to him by the organic law. He should not be deprived of this privilege without his expressed or implied consent.
Nothing herein is to be construed as precluding the Chancellor from referring a case to a special master or examiner for the performance of a “particular service”
We fully realize that in some sections of Florida, including the Circuit here involved the trial dockets are often unusually congested due to a tremendous volume of litigation. We also realize that such congestion taxes the capacity of the most devoted judges, such as admittedly are here involved. Nonetheless, we are not privileged to sacrifice the rights of a litigant in the interest of expediency.
The prayer of the petition is granted, the order appealed from is quashed and the cause is remanded for further proceedings consistent herewith.
Dissenting Opinion
(dissenting).
Upon further consideration of the cause and appellants’ petition for rehearing, I have concluded that it would be error to reverse the Chancellor’s order referring the .taking of the testimony to a special examiner.
Upon careful reading of Slatcoff v. Dezen, Fla.,
“The docket of this Court being at this time unusually heavy, it will greatly expedite the handling of these cases by referring them to the Official Court Reporter as Special Examiner.” .
A Special Master’s duties in the absence of any authorization to make findings and recommendations are limited to the taking and reporting of the testimony of the parties litigant. 31 F.S.A. Rules of Civil Procedure, Equity Rule 3.14. Such appointment may be made for any “particular service” or, as it perhaps may be more properly .termed, “limited service”. Stewart v. Mack, Fla.,
A special examiner's authority and duties are, under Rule 3.12, little if any different from that of a special master unauthorized .to make findings and recommendations. That rule authorizes the Judge to appoint -an examiner to take all testimony in a case unless the order is otherwise limited.
The whole tenor and effect of the decision in the Siatcoff case is that, in the face ■of opposition of one of the parties, the special master cannot be authorized to malee findings and conclusions of law, together with recommendations. There is nothing in the case limiting the power of the Chancellor in the matter of appointing an ex
The ancient practice of authorizing the master to take the testimony of the parties, derived from the English Courts, has been followed in the circuits of the State to the present day and, to the writer’s knowledge, has been consistently followed in the circuit in which he has been one of the Judges for more than one-third of a century. The thought up to this time has never been advanced that any constitutional right was impaired or violated by such appointment on the theory that it authorized an erroneous delegation of the Court’s powers to a master, nor has the thought been advanced that the Constitution required the Chancellor to personally hear the testimony of the parties litigant. Surely the practice accepted by the Bench and Bar for more than a hundred years does not trench upon any constitutional rights of litigants.
The discretion of the Judge in making the appointment under the rules should be exercised sparingly and such orders should be the exception rather than the rule, as provided by
To fetter the discretion of the Chancellor so that he no longer has any discretion under the rule to appoint a special master or examiner for the purpose of taking the testimony of the parties unreasonably restricta the meaning and intent of the rule. Such holding will inevitably lead to harmful delay in the disposition of the business of the Court.
In conclusion, I am reminded of the oft repeated aphorism of Gladstone, who in speaking of the delay in the disposition of cases said, “Justice delayed is justice denied”.
I think the Chancellor’s order should be approved.
Rehearing
On Rehearing Granted
A rehearing having been granted in this cause and the case having been further considered upon the record and upon the briefs and argument of attorneys for the respective parties’; it is thereupon ordered and adjudged by the Court that the Opin■ion filed June 19, 1957, be and the same is hereby adhered toi.
PARKS, Circuit Judge, dissents.