IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA FILED
In Re: Magistrate Judge Civil Consents ) G.O. No. 25-6 SEP 2 k 2025
JOAN KANE, CLERK
GENERAL ORDER u^s. dist cbu^Rr western
ESTERN dist.
DI5 oku.
DEPUTY
General Order 24-8 established a program to inform litigants and members of the bar
about the availability of consent jurisdiction before the Magistrate Judges of the Western
District, who have a long tradition ofexcellence and experience in many types of civil matters.
The Court, having successfully completed the one-year trial program, hereby orders that the
program continue as set forth below. This Order supersedes G.O. 24-8.
The Clerk shall utilize the following procedure to notify the parties in all civil cases
filed after October 1, 2024, 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
plaintifftpetitioner 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 of the 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 ofremoval 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 counsel 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 of the 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 ofthe 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 if the 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 of the obligation to complete and return the
consent form. The form shall be returned within twenty-one days ofreceipt. Ifthe added party
does not consent to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction within twenty-one days the action shall be
transferred to the previously assigned District Judge.
(i) If a party fails to return the form within the referenced period, the Clerk shall advise the
party of the requirements of this General Order and request that the form be submitted.
Thereafter, the party will have an additional 10 days from the date of the Clerk's notice to
submit the consent form. If any party thereafter fails to return a consent form, the Court may
enter a show cause order directing a response. However, if the 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.
(j) Ifall parties consent to the disposition ofthe case by a Magistrate Judge, and the District
Judge agrees to the reassignment, the Clerk shall file the consent forms and the case shall
thereafter be heard and determined, for all purposes, by the assigned Magistrate Judge.
The provisions of this General Order shall be in effect from October 1, 2025, until
revocation or modification by subsequent general order.
IT IS SO ORDERED this l^day of September 2025.
■Q. {ht^-
TIMOTHY U. DeGIUSTI
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
:OTT L. PALK
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
CHARLES B. GOODWIN
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
PATRICK R. WYRICK
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
JC^I W. DISHMAN
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
BERNARD M. JONES
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
