(a) General Authority.
(1) A magistrate judge is authorized to perform the duties prescribed by
federal statutes and regulations, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and
these local rules.
(2) Unless the court directs otherwise, a magistrate judge is authorized, with
or without a referral, to:
(A) grant applications to proceed without prepayment of fees;
(B) authorize levy, entry, search, and seizure requested by authorized
agents of the Internal Revenue Service under 26 U.S.C. § 6331 upon
a determination of probable cause;
(C) conduct supplemental proceedings in accordance with Fed. R. Civ.
P. 69, including:
(i) hold hearings to determine judgment debtor’s property;
(ii) issue writs;
(iii) temporarily restrain a judgment debtor from selling,
transferring, or disposing of the property or asset;
Local Rules of Civil Practice - District of Utah Eff. December 2025
(iv) hold hearings and make recommendations to the district
judge on substantive issues including the liability of a party
under a writ of garnishment or execution;
(D) issue orders directing funds—
(i) to be paid into the registry of the court;
(ii) to be paid out of the registry on the parties’ consent under
28 U.S.C. § 636(c) and DUCivR 72-3; and
(E) perform all duties specified in the Federal Debt Collection
Procedures Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 3001 through 3308;
(F) issue orders authorizing alternative service;
(G) conduct initial scheduling conferences under Fed. R. Civ. P. 16,
enter stipulated scheduling orders, and grant or deny stipulated
motions to amend scheduling orders;
(H) conduct all pretrial proceedings contemplated by 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)
and Fed. R. Civ. P. 72 in cases assigned under DUCivR 72-3 and 83-2;
and
(I) issue subpoenas, writs of habeas corpus ad testificandum, and
other orders necessary to secure the presence of parties, witnesses,
or evidence for court proceedings.
Authority Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(a).
On reference under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(a), a magistrate
judge is authorized to hear and determine any procedural motion, discovery
motion, or other non-dispositive motion.
Authority Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b).
(1) On reference under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b), a
magistrate judge is authorized to prepare and submit to the district judge
Local Rules of Civil Practice - District of Utah Eff. December 2025
a report containing proposed findings of fact and recommendations for
disposition of motions:
(A) for injunctive relief including temporary restraining orders and
preliminary and permanent injunctions;
(B) for judgment on the pleadings;
(C) for summary judgment;
(D) to dismiss;
(E) for default judgments; and
(F) for judicial review of an administrative agency decision, including an
award or denial of a license, benefits under the Social Security Act,
or a similar privilege.
(2) A magistrate judge may determine any preliminary matter and conduct
any necessary evidentiary hearing or other proceeding arising in the
exercise of the authority under DUCivR 72-1(c)(1).
Authority to Function as Special Master.
Under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(2) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 53, the court may designate a
magistrate judge to serve as a special master with the parties’ consent.
