2021 -- H 5303

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LC000058

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE GENERALLY --

EQUITY PRACTICE

     Introduced By: Representatives Williams, Vella-Wilkinson, Knight, Biah, and Giraldo

     Date Introduced: January 29, 2021

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 9-14-26 of the General Laws in Chapter 9-14 entitled "Equity

Practice" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     9-14-26. Master's conveyance of property Arbiter's conveyance of property.

     If a judgment directs a party to execute a conveyance of land or to deliver deeds or other

documents or to perform any other specified acts and the party fails to comply within the time

specified, the court may direct the act to be done at the cost of the disobedient party by a master an

arbiter in chancery or some other person appointed by the court, and the act when so done has like

effect as if done by the party.

     SECTION 2. The title of Chapter 9-15 of the General Laws entitled "Referees, Auditors,

And Masters In Chancery" is hereby amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 9-15

Referees, Auditors, And Masters In Chancery

CHAPTER 9-15

REFEREES, AUDITORS, AND ARBITORS IN CHANCERY

     SECTION 3. Sections 9-15-19, 9-15-20 and 9-15-21 of the General Laws in Chapter 9-15

entitled "Referees, Auditors, And Masters In Chancery" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     9-15-19. Appointment of masters in chancery -- Rules and orders Appointment of

arbiters in chancery -- Rules and orders.

     The superior court, by a majority of the justices thereof, shall appoint in each county one

or more standing masters arbiters in chancery to hold office during the pleasure of the court; and

may make all such rules and orders, not contrary to law, with regard to proceedings before masters

arbiters in chancery, their reports, and exceptions to and hearings on them, as to it shall seem

expedient.

     9-15-20. Protection of parties and witnesses in referred matters.

     Masters Arbiters in chancery, auditors, and referees shall have the same power to issue

writs of protection to parties and witnesses in matters pending before them as is possessed by the

courts from which they derive their appointment, and the signing of such writs by any one master

arbiter , auditor, or referee, who has been duly sworn, shall be sufficient.

     9-15-21. Stenographic reports and transcripts.

     Masters Arbiters in chancery, auditors, and referees may employ stenographers to report

and transcribe the testimony taken in causes referred to them, and the cost of the reports and

transcripts shall be allowed as part of the costs.

     SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE GENERALLY --

EQUITY PRACTICE

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     This act would delete all uses of the word master as it relates to courts and replace it with

the word arbiter.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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