Local Rule LR 73.6: Order of Reference

LR 73.6 Order of Reference.

(a) In the event the parties file a unanimous consent pursuant to this local rule, the Clerk shall immediately notify the presiding District Judge who will promptly (1) enter an order of reference to a Magistrate Judge, or (2) enter an order declining so to do; provided, however, the District Judges of the Court shall not decline to make an order of reference for the purpose of limiting the types of cases to be tried by the Magistrate Judge pursuant to this rule. In making or in declining to make an order of reference, the presiding Judge may consider among other things, the current allocation of pending judicial business between the District Judges and the Magistrate Judges; the judicial economy, if any, to be gained by the reference as measured in part by the extent of prior judicial labor expended and familiarity accumulated in the case by the assigned Judge; the extent to which the Magistrate Judge may have time available to devote to the case giving due regard to the necessity of diligent performance of other judicial duties regularly assigned to the Magistrate Judges; and any other features peculiar to the individual case which suggest, in the interest of justice or judicial economy, that a reference should or should not be made.

(b) In any case in which an order of reference has been made, the Court may, for good cause shown on its own motion, or under extraordinary circumstances shown by any party, vacate the order of reference and restore the case to the calendar of the presiding District Judge.