Local Rule Local Civil Rule 72.1: Proceedings Before Magistrate Judges

Local Civil Rule 72.1. Proceedings Before Magistrate Judges

(a) Powers of Magistrate Judges. In addition to other powers of magistrate judges, a full-time or part-time magistrate judge may be assigned any duty allowed by law to be performed by a magistrate judge. In addition, magistrate judges are specially designated to exercise the jurisdiction set forth in 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). Parties who consent to magistrate judge jurisdiction must follow the procedures set forth in Local Rule 73.1. As judicial officers, in performing any duty, a magistrate judge may determine preliminary matters, require parties, attorneys and witnesses to appear; require briefs, proofs, and argument; and conduct any hearing, conference or other proceeding the magistrate judge may deem appropriate.

(b) Objections to Actions of a Magistrate Judge

(1) Nondispositive Matters. A party may serve and file objections to a magistrate judge's order on nondispositive matters, as provided in Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(a). If a party files an objection to a magistrate judge's order, another party may serve and file a response to that objection. That response must be served within 14 days after being served with the objection.

(2) Lengths of Briefs and Formatting. Unless the Court orders otherwise, any brief filed in connection with any objection to the ruling, order, or report and recommendation of a magistrate judge must comply with the length limitations in Local Civil Rule 6.3 and the formatting requirements in Local Civil Rule 7.1(b).

For relevant historical context for this local rule, consult the Appendix of Committee Notes.