Case 1:00-mc-00308 Document 88 Filed 11/06/19 Page 1 of 2
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
IN RE:
PILOT PROJECT FOR DIRECT
ASSIGNMENT OF CIVIL CASES MISC. NO. 00-308
TO MAGISTRATE JUDGES
STANDING ORDER 2019-07
On September 26, 2018, this Court approved the adoption of a three-year pilot project to
randomly assign a limited number of civil cases directly to the Magistrate Judges of this Court
for all proceedings and the entry of a final judgment, subject to the consent of all parties, in order
to increase the utilization of the Magistrate Judges and increase the availability of civil trials.
After further review, the Court has found it appropriate to amend certain procedures of the pilot
project. Accordingly, it is hereby
ORDERED by the United States District Court for the District of Maryland that Standing
Order 2018-04 is RESCINDED; and it is further
ORDERED that, effective November 1, 2018, and as amended effective November 6,
2019, the automated case assignment system for civil cases will be modified to allow for the
random assignment of certain cases directly to a United States Magistrate Judge; and it is further
ORDERED that in all such cases directly assigned to a Magistrate Judge, the Clerk shall
issue a notice upon the filing of a new civil action requiring the existing parties to file a response
either consenting or declining consent to the assignment to a Magistrate Judge within fourteen
(14) days. The Clerk shall issue a similar notice when any additional party enters an appearance
or makes a filing. In the event that any party does not consent, the case shall immediately be
reassigned to a District Judge. The Clerk shall withhold the identity of any non-consenting party
Case 1:00-mc-00308 Document 88 Filed 11/06/19 Page 2 of 2
from the assigned Magistrate Judge and any District Judge to whom the case may be reassigned
if consent from all the parties is not obtained; and it is further
ORDERED that this project shall continue for a period of three years effective November
1, 2018, absent further Order by the Court.
lus-u
Date James K. Bredar, Chief Judge
United States District Court
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