(A) Upon the appearance of a defendant, and to the extent the requirements of
Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(1) and (f) are not otherwise waived by the court or by
Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(1)(B), the court shall issue a tentative scheduling order
that shall require a Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f) conference and report and shall
become binding absent objection after such report.9
(B) The order shall include the following:
(1) Notice to counsel that Local Civ. Rule 26.03 (D.S.C.) lists
additional queries to be answered in the Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f)
report and that the court’s general practices as to scheduling
orders and conferences are addressed by Local Civ. Rule 16.02
(D.S.C.).
(2) Any special instructions for submission of the Fed. R. Civ. P.
26(f) report requested by the assigned judge.
(3) Information regarding the availability of alternative dispute
resolution and whether mediation is required.
(4) A directive that plaintiff’s counsel shall initiate scheduling of the
Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f) conference with all counsel known to
plaintiff regardless of whether they have filed appearances.
(5) The notice of right to consent to trial before a magistrate judge as
discussed in Local Civ. Rules 73.02(B)(1), 73.03 (D.S.C.).
