referee
In law, a referee is a judicial official who acts as a master in proceedings (i.e. an official who assist the judge in limited manners, usually pertaining to fact-finding). Referees are often used in complex cases where specialized knowledge is required or to manage pretrial matters to assist the court in resolving disputes more efficiently.
The term referee has a special significance in bankruptcy proceedings. Chapter V of the National Bankruptcy Act of 1898 created the office of referee to conduct duties such as, but not limited to, administering oaths, examining witnesses, and even taking possession of property. Chapter VI of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, however, eliminated the office of referee and replaced it with a system of permanent bankruptcy judges.
[Last reviewed in May of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]
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