MASTERS OF CHANCERY are usually chosen out of the barristers of the common law; and sit in chancery, or at the rolls, as assistants to the lord chancellor and the master of the rolls. All these, so late as the reign of Queen Elizabeth, were commonly doctors of the civil law.—To them are also committed interlocutory reports, examination of bills in chancery, stating of accounts, taxing costs, &c. and sometimes, by way of reference, they are empowered to make a final determination of causes.
They have, time out of mind, had the honour to sit
in the house of lords, though they have neither writs nor patent to empower them; but they are received as assistants to the lord chancellor and master of the rolls. They had anciently the care of inspecting all writs of summonses, which is now performed by the clerk of the petty-bag. When any message is sent from the lords to the commons, it is carried by the masters of chancery. Before them also affidavits are made, and deeds and recognizances acknowledged.
Besides these, who may be called masters of chancery ordinary, (being 12 in number, whereof the master of the rolls is reputed the chief), there are also masters of chancery extraordinary, appointed to act in the several counties of England beyond 10 miles distance from London, by taking affidavits, recognizances, &c. for the case of the suitors of the court.