IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FILED
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA ^ 2 202't
In Re: Magistrate Judge Civil Consents ) G.O. No. 24-8 i°^'ii^TxbuRT western dist.okla.
BY , DEPUTY
GENERAL ORDER
The Western District of Oklahoma has a long tradition of excellence in our
Magistrate Judges; each has experience with many types of civil matters. Considering the
Court's substantial criminal docket, parties in civil cases may find benefits in choosing to
proceed before a Magistrate Judge, in part because Magistrate Judges do not preside over
felony criminal trials. Accordingly, should parties choose to consent to proceed before a
Magistrate Judge, they may receive a firm trial date that will not be subject to being
postponed due to criminal trials. The District Judges of the Court, having full confidence
in the capabilities of each Magistrate Judge to preside over cases coming before the Court,
hereby order as follows.
The Clerk shall utilize the following procedure to notify the parties in all civil cases
filed between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, that they may consent to
jurisdiction of a Magistrate Judge to conduct all proceedings in the civil matter,
(a) Notice shall be distributed as set forth below:
(1) For a case initiated by a complaint or petition filed in federal
court, the notice shall be provided by:
a, handing the consent notice and consent form to a
plaintiff/petitioner or a representative thereof where
plaintiff/petitioner is proceeding pro se and the
complaint or petition is presented in person for filing.
b. mailing a copy ofthe consent notice and consent
form to a pro se plaintiff/petitioner who submits a
complaint or petition via U.S. mail, UPS, FedEx, or
similar carrier.
c. emailing the consent notice and consent form to counsel
for plaintiff or petitioner upon the initiation of a civil
case in accordance with the Local Civil Rules and the
Electronic Filing Policies and Procedures Manual.
(2) For a case initiated by filing a notice ofremoval,the notice shall
be provided by:
a. handing the consent notice and consent form to a
defendant appearing pro se or defendant's representative
when the notice of removal is presented for filing in
person.
b. mailing the consent notice and consent form to a pro se
defendant who submits a notice of removal via U.S.
mail, UPS,FedEx, or similar carrier.
c. emailing the consent notice and consent form to defense
counsel who file a notice of removal or consent thereto
in accordance with the Local Civil Rules and the
Electronic Filing Policies and Procedures Manual.
(3) Other parties represented by coimsel shall be sent the consent
notice and consent form via email from the Clerk or deputy
upon counsel's entry of appearance.
(4) Other parties appearing pro se shall be given notice by handing
the consent notice and consent form to a party or by mailing the
same, as appropriate.
Distribution ofthe form and notice shall be indicated by the Court Clerk's Office on the
docket sheet. This procedure shall not apply to Social Security cases governed by
General Order 23-1.
(b) A party must return the consent form within twenty-one days of receipt from the
Clerk following the instructions contained in the Notice. The parties should not file the
form in the case. No consent form will be made publicly available, nor will the contents
thereof be made known to any judicial officer unless all parties have consented to the
assignment ofthe case to a Magistrate Judge.
(c) If all parties consent to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction, the Clerk shall transmit the
case to the assigned District Judge for approval and transfer of the case to the assigned
Magistrate Judge for all further proceedings. The District Judge has discretion on whether
to transfer the case to a Magistrate Judge after being advised that all parties have returned
forms indicating unanimous consent to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction.
(d) If any party declines to consent to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction, the form should be
returned indicating that the party declines to consent pursuant to the directions contained
in the Notice; the action will remain assigned to the District Judge.
(e) There is no adverse consequence ifthe parties decline to consent to Magistrate Judge
jurisdiction. Other than as set forth below in paragraph (h), once all parties have consented,
consent is irrevocable other than as permitted by 28 U.S.C. § 636(c)(4).
(f) A District or Magistrate Judge may advise the parties as to the availability of a
Magistrate Judge to try a civil case or hear a civil motion by consent.
(g) Notwithstanding an initial decision to proceed before the District Judge, the
parties may consent to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction during the pendency of a case.
(h) Any party added to the civil action where consents were previously returned by
all then-existing parties shall be notified by the Clerk ofthe obligation to complete and
return the consent form. The form shall be returned within twenty-one days of receipt.
If the added party does not consent to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction within twenty-one
days the action shall be transferred to the previously assigned District Judge.
3
(i) If any party fails to timely return a consent form, the Court may enter a show cause
order directing a response. However,ifthe parties fail to comply with these Rules the case
will be retained by or transferred to the previously assigned District
Judge as appropriate under the circumstances ofthe particular case.
The provisions of this General Order shall be in effect from October 1, 2024,
through September 30, 2025, absent extension by subsequent general order.
IT IS SO ORDERED this^day of August 2024.
1Q ■
YD.T)eGIUSTI
TIMOTHY
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
SCOTT L. PALK
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
CHARLES B. GOODWIN
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
PATRICK R. WYRICK
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
)DI W.DISHMAN
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
BERNARD M. JONES ^
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
