Rule 22-7 Action on Special Master's Order, Report, or Recommendation

(a) Action. In acting on a special master's order, report, or recommendation, the Court shall afford the parties an opportunity to be heard and to object to any portion of such order, report, or recommendation. The Court may receive evidence, and may adopt or affirm, modify, reject, or reverse in whole or in part, or resubmit all or some issues to the special master with instructions.

(b) Time to Object or Move. A party may file a motion to reject or to modify the special master's order, report, or recommendation within 20 days from the date the master's order, report, or recommendation is served, unless the Court sets a different time. The special master's order, report, or recommendation shall be deemed received three days after the date it is mailed by United States mail or on the same day if transmitted electronically or by hand-delivery. In the absence of a motion to reject or modify an order, report, or recommendation within the time provided, the order, report, or recommendation shall have the force and effect of an order of the Court.

(c) Fact Findings. The Court shall decide de novo all objections to findings of fact made or recommended by a special master, unless the parties stipulate with the Court's consent that —

(1) the special master's findings will be reviewed for clear error; or

(2) the findings of a special master appointed under this article will be final.

(d) Legal Conclusions. The Court shall decide de novo all objections to conclusions of law made or recommended by a special master.

(e) Procedural Matters. Unless the order of appointment establishes a different standard of review, the Court may set aside a special master's ruling on a procedural matter only for an abuse of discretion.