THE PROGRAM WAS DEVELOPED TO ALLEVIATE COURT CASELOADS BY EMPLOYING SPECIAL COURT HEARING OFFICERS TO HANDLE A VARIETY OF DOMESTIC RELATIONS CASES. IT WAS CONCLUDED FROM THE EVALUATION THAT THE QUALITY OF SERVICE PROVIDED BY MARITAL MASTERS HAS STEADILY IMPROVED SINCE THE PROGRAM'S INCEPTION. MASTERS GENERALLY DEVOTE MORE TIME TO DELIBERATIONS AND PREPARATION OF THE FINAL DECREE THAN DID SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES OR CLERKS UNDER THE PREVIOUS SYSTEM. PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAM FEEL THAT THIS ADDITIONAL TIME FOR DELIBERATION HAS IMPROVED THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE IN DOMESTIC RELATION CASES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...KAP