Local Rule LCvR 72.1: AUTHORITY OF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGES IN CIVIL MATTERS, STANDING ORDERS OF REFERENCE

LCvR 72.1 AUTHORITY OF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGES IN CIVIL MATTERS, STANDING ORDERS OF REFERENCE

(a) United States Magistrate Judges are Authorized and Designated to Exercise the Following Functions and Duties Regarding Civil Actions in this district:

(1) To perform the duties prescribed in 28 U.S.C. § 636(a);

(2) To hear and decide non-dispositive procedural or discovery motions and other pretrial matters, as provided by 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A);

(3) To hear any dispositive motions involving cases in which the parties have not consented to jurisdiction of the United States Magistrate Judge, and thereafter to submit to the United States District Judge proposed findings of fact and recommendations for disposition of such motions, as provided by 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B);

(4) To make a final determination on any dispositive motion in a case wherein the parties have consented to the jurisdiction of the United States Magistrate Judge, subject to right of appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit;

(5) To serve as a special master in appropriate civil cases in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(2) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 53;

(6) Upon the consent of all parties, to conduct jury voir dire in civil cases when designated by the United States District Judge to do so on a case-by-case basis;

(7) To accept petit jury verdicts in civil cases in the absence of a United States District Judge;

(8) Upon the consent of all parties, to conduct the trial and order entry of judgment, as authorized by 28 U.S.C. § 636(c);

(9) To issue orders or warrants authorizing acts necessary in the performance of the duties of administrative and regulatory agencies and departments of the United States government pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(3);

(10) To conduct proceedings of the Court under the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act, consistent with the Constitution and the laws of the United States as authorized by 28 U.S.C. § 3008; and

(11) To perform any additional duties consistent with the Constitution or the laws of the United States, as shall be assigned or delegated by the district court.

(b) Standing Orders of Reference. In addition to the above paragraph, a United States District Judge may enter a Standing Order of Reference concerning the extent to which such judge's matters are referred to United States Magistrate Judges.