Local Rule Civil Rule 72.2: Assignment and Designation Procedures

Civil Rule 72.2 Assignment and Designation Procedures a. Order of Designation and Assignment. A matter assigned to the magistrate judges either as a matter of course by the Clerk of the United States District Court or by an order of special designation by a district judge of the Court under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) or (c), precisely stating the nature of the matter, will be assigned to a specific magistrate judge as follows: b. Civil Matters. The Clerk must assign civil matters by lot as described in Civil Local Rule 40.1. In civil matters where reference to a magistrate judge is dependent upon the consent of the parties, such as trials, the district judge may assign the matter to a particular magistrate judge selected by the parties. c. Upon filing, civil cases must be assigned by the Clerk to a magistrate judge. The magistrate judge must hear and determine Civil Local Rule 72.1.b pretrial motions. d. Where designated by a judge the magistrate judge may conduct additional pre-trial conferences and hear motions and perform the duties set forth in Civil Local Rule 72.1.c. e. Each magistrate judge will be designated to perform the duties set forth in Civil Local Rule 72.1.d. f. Where the parties consent to trial and disposition of a case by a magistrate judge under Civil Local Rule 72.1.f of these rules, such case must be set before the magistrate judge for the conduct of all further proceedings and the entry of judgment. g. Notice of Hearing. A magistrate judge assigned a matter must set the time of hearing, notify all parties and make any further necessary orders consistent with the requirements of the Local Rules of Court for the Southern District. h. Nothing in these rules preclude the Court, or a district judge from reserving any proceedings for conduct by a district judge, rather than a magistrate judge. The Court, moreover, may by general order modify the method of assigning proceedings to a magistrate judge as changing conditions may warrant.