Notifying Parties of a Non-automatic Assignment. If not effected directly by the clerk of court under court rule, plan, order, or other document, reference of a case or duty to a magistrate judge will be by order signed by a district judge. The clerk of court will notify all parties to the action of each reference by a district judge.
Referral to Magistrate Judge. Pretrial motions in civil actions are hereby referred to a magistrate judge for hearing and determination, subject to the following exceptions: motions for injunctive relief; motions to remand; motions for judgment on the pleadings; motions for summary judgment; motions to dismiss or to permit maintenance of a class action; motions to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted; motions to involuntarily dismiss an action; motions in limine regarding evidentiary matters; and motions for extensions of time with regard to matters pending before a district judge. Upon entry of a pretrial order, all motions thereafter served shall be submitted to the assigned trial judge.
Hearing of Nondispositive Motions When Assigned Magistrate Judge Is Unavailable. When the magistrate judge assigned to an action is unavailable because of absence from the district, illness, or other cause, or in a bona fide emergency as the result of which any party would be prejudicially delayed by presenting the matter to such magistrate judge, any other full-time magistrate judge may hear and determine any motion presented by a party, other than a motion enumerated as an exception in 28 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1)(A) and Uniform Local Rule 72.5.