Local Rule RULE 9015-1: Jury Trials.

RULE 9015-1. Jury Trials.

(a) Applicability of Certain Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Fed. R. Civ. P. 38, 39, 47-51, and 81(c), insofar as they apply to jury trials, apply in all cases and proceedings in this Court, except that a demand made under Fed. R. Civ. P. 38(b) shall be filed in accordance with Fed. R. Bankr. P. 5005.

(b) Consent to Have Jury Trial Conducted by Bankruptcy Court. If the right to a jury trial applies and a timely demand has been filed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 38(b), parties may consent to have a jury trial conducted by the Bankruptcy Court under 28 U.S.C. § 157(e). Parties must jointly or separately file a statement of consent no later than 30 days after the date for demand. Failure to affirmatively file a consent to a jury trial shall be deemed a lack of consent.

(c) Voir Dire. Unless otherwise ordered, the Court shall conduct an interrogation of prospective jurors on voir dire examination. In its discretion, the Court may permit questions to be submitted in writing in advance of jury selection or orally at the side of the bar during voir dire.

(d) Time for Filing a Demand for Jury Trial after Removal. If, at the time of removal, all necessary pleadings have been served, a party entitled to a jury trial must demand one within 21 days after the Notice of Removal is filed; otherwise, within 21 days after service of the notice of filing of the Notice of Removal on the party entitled to a jury trial. A party making an express demand for trial by jury before removal, in accordance with federal or state law, need not make a demand after removal. If applicable state law in the court from which the case is removed does not require the parties to make express demands to claim a trial by jury, the parties must make demands after removal, in accordance with this paragraph, unless the Court directs them to do so within a specific time. The Court may make such a direction on its own motion and shall do so as a matter of course at the request of any party. The failure of a party to make a jury demand as directed under this sub-paragraph constitutes a waiver of trial by jury.