Local Rule 72.2: Referral to Magistrate Judge
D. Mont. — Civil rule
72.2 Referral to Magistrate Judge
(a) Referral on Filing of a New Case. Except as otherwise provided by order, and except for motions under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, actions for writs filed by federal prisoners, actions filed by pro se prisoners, cases originating in the bankruptcy court, complaints accompanied by a motion for temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction under Fed.R.Civ.P. 65, petitions brought pursuant to the Hague Convention, and cases governed by Appendix A of these rules, all cases will be assigned to a magistrate judge upon filing and be subject to the consent election procedure set forth in Local Rule 73.1.
(b) Referral After Filing. An active Article III judge may at any time designate a United States magistrate judge to exercise jurisdiction over a civil case, matter, or motion in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636.
(c) Article III Judge. In any case referred to a magistrate judge under subsection (a), the Article III judge may act sua sponte regardless of the referral.