Mo. Rev. Stat. § 487.040: Cases may be heard by commissioner — hearings, where conducted — split venue, assignment of commissioners.

1. The administrative judge of the family court, or in circuits or counties which have a family court pursuant to subsection 2 of section 487.010 having one judge sitting as family court judge, the judge of the family court may direct that any case or class of cases may be heard by the commissioner in the manner provided for hearing of cases by law.

2. The circuit and associate circuit judges en banc may designate by order the location within the geographical jurisdiction of the court where the commissioners shall conduct hearings, provided, in circuits with split venue, one or more commissioners shall be assigned and shall conduct hearings in each venue with the exception of proceedings brought pursuant to the provisions of chapter 210 or chapter 211.