Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 406

AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 9, TITLE 10, DELAWARE CODE, RELATING TO THE APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES OF MASTERS IN THE FAMILY COURT.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Delaware:

Section 1. Amend Title 10, Delaware Code, by striking out § 925 of Chapter 9 thereof and enacting in lieu a new § 925 as follows:

§ 925. Masters; Appointments; Duties

The Judges, acting jointly, may appoint, commission and set the salaries of suitable persons to act as Masters in the Court, all of whom shall hold offices at the pleasures of the Judges.

When requested by a Judge or the Director, a Master may hear any matter properly before him and may order the issuance of legal process to compel the attendance of necessary parties and witnesses.

The Master shall announce his conclusion to the parties or to their attorneys; or in the case a hearing shall relate to a child, then to the custodian, adult friend, or attorney for the child, or in case there be no custodian, adult friend or attorney for the child, then to a Probation Officer.

The Master shall transmit to a Judge all papers relating to the case, together with his findings and recommendations in writing.

A Review de Novo by a Judge with respect to the matter shall be allowed, provided any above-named person petitions in writing for the same within ten days from the date of a Master's announcement as aforesaid of his findings and recommendations.

In the event that no such hearing is requested within the ten day period aforesaid, the findings and recommendations of the Master, unless they be disapproved in writing by an Order of the Judge, shall become the Judgment of the Court with rights of appeal reserved to all parties.

Approved June 5, 1962.