(a) Trial by Magistrate Judge. A full-time or recalled magistrate judge may conduct a jury or
non-jury trial in a civil case if all parties consent and the district judge to whom the case has
been assigned approves.
(b) Notification of Option to Consent.
(1) When a civil action or notice of removal is filed, the Clerk, with the permission of the
district judge to whom the case is assigned, shall give written notice to the parties of
the option to consent to a trial before, or other disposition of the case by, a magistrate
judge and shall provide the parties with a consent form. The notice shall inform the
parties that they are free to withhold consent without adverse consequences, and that
the executed form must be returned within the time specified in the notice issued by
the Clerk.
(2) At any time thereafter, the district judge to whom the case has been assigned may
again authorize the Clerk to advise the parties of their opportunity to consent to a trial
before, or other disposition of the case by, a magistrate judge, in which case the Clerk
shall send a similar notice to the parties.
(3) A district judge or magistrate judge shall not be informed of a party’s response to the
Clerk’s notification unless all parties have consented to a trial before a magistrate
judge.
Effective 12/1/18: §(b)(1) amended. Effective 12/1/17: §(b)(1) amended. Effective 12/1/11: The numerical references
in this rule were altered as part of the restyling of numerical references throughout the Local Rules.
CROSS-REFERENCES
See LR Gen 303(c)(3) (Consent to Proceed Before a Magistrate Judge filed conventionally), and LR
Cv 72 (magistrate judge authority in civil cases).
See also 28 U.S.C. §636(c) (setting forth jurisdiction and duties of magistrate judges), and Fed .R.
Civ. P. 73.
U.S. DISTRICT COURT RULES -- RULES APPLICABLE TO CIVIL PROCEEDINGS
