Qualifications of auditor.

- In the hearing before the auditor, the auditor generally takes the place of the judge, and the position, in equitable proceedings, should be confined to lawyers of ability. Barber v. Southern Serv. Corp., 182 Ga. 124, 185 S.E. 93 (1936).

Judicial immunity of auditor.

- Where a partner in an accounting company has clearly been named auditor by the trial court pursuant to O.C.G.A. Ch. 7, T. 9, the partner is accordingly cloaked with judicial immunity. Arthur Andersen & Co. v. Wilson, 256 Ga. 849, 353 S.E.2d 466 (1987).

Use of leading questions lies in auditor's discretion. Rusk v. Hill, 117 Ga. 722, 45 S.E. 42 (1903).

Auditor may permit amendments to pleadings. Cureton v. Cureton, 120 Ga. 559, 48 S.E. 162 (1904); First State Bank v. Avera, 123 Ga. 598, 51 S.E. 665 (1905).

Auditor is without jurisdiction to strike amendment to pleadings which was allowed by court before the case was referred to the auditor. Rusk v. Hill, 117 Ga. 722, 45 S.E. 42 (1903).

At conclusion of hearing, amendment cannot be made as matter of right. McCord v. City of Jackson, 135 Ga. 176, 69 S.E. 23 (1910).

Failure of auditor to rule on demurrer (now motion to dismiss) will not afford ground of complaint to plaintiff who was permitted to introduce evidence in support of the plaintiff's petition. Wilkes v. Carter, 149 Ga. 240, 99 S.E. 860 (1919).

Granting of motion to adjourn hearing is within auditor's discretion. Johnson v. Thomas, 144 Ga. 69, 86 S.E. 236 (1915).

Appellate review.

- Since the law confers such ample powers upon an auditor, the Supreme Court, in reviewing the proceedings in a case which has been referred to an auditor, then passed upon by the chancellor, may reasonably be inclined, if the chancellor approves the auditor's report, to treat the conclusion reached in such a case as supported by the judgment of two courts. Barber v. Southern Serv. Corp., 182 Ga. 124, 185 S.E. 93 (1936).

Cited in Ellis v. Geer, 36 Ga. App. 519, 137 S.E. 290 (1927); Parsons v. Fox, 179 Ga. 605, 176 S.E. 642 (1934); Holton v. Lankford, 189 Ga. 506, 6 S.E.2d 304 (1939); Ruskin v. AAF-McQuay, Inc., 284 Ga. App. 49, 643 S.E.2d 333 (2007); Petrakopoulos v. Vranas, 325 Ga. App. 332, 750 S.E.2d 779 (2013).

Am. Jur. 2d.

- 27A Am. Jur. 2d, Equity, §§ 229, 230.

ALR.

- Power of successor or substituted master or referee to render decision or enter judgment on testimony heard by predecessor, 70 A.L.R.3d 1079.