(a) Random Assignment in Criminal Cases. Criminal cases shall be assigned to district
judges according to a system based on random selection both for initial assignment
and for assignment in the event of recusal. The system of random case assignment,
distribution of cases, and rotating supervision of the Grand Jury shall be determined
by the Court.
(b) Random Assignment in Civil Cases. Civil cases shall be assigned to district judges,
senior district judges and magistrate judges according to a system based on random
selection: (i) for the initial assignment of cases; (ii) for the reassignment of any
case in the event of recusal; (iii) for the reassignment of any case initially assigned to a
magistrate judge after the election of the district judge option by any party, as set forth
in subsection (c) below; and, (iv) for the reassignment to a magistrate judge of any case
initially assigned to a district judge after all parties have consented pursuant to 28
U.S.C. § 636(c). The system of random case assignment and distribution of cases shall
be determined by the Court.
(c) Civil Cases Initially Assigned to a Magistrate Judge. In any civil case initially assigned
to a magistrate judge, the clerk shall provide the parties with forms for consent
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) or, in the alternative, the election of the district judge
option. Until all parties have consented, or until any party has elected the district judge
option, the assigned magistrate judge shall by designation pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §
636(b)(l)(A) exercise the authority of the District Court to conduct all non-dispositive
proceedings and to enter all orders on such matters. This authority shall terminate
upon reassignment of the case to a district judge upon election by any party of the
district judge option.
(d) Companion Cases. Upon the filing of companion cases (i. e., cases involving the
same transaction regardless of the parties thereto), the parties shall promptly notify the
assigned judges. Those judges shall determine whether the cases are in fact companions
and whether a transfer is in order, in which event the cases shall be transferred to the
judge assigned to the earliest case.
