Assignment of Cases to Magistrate Judges

(a) Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §636(c), any full-time magistrate judge may conduct all proceedings, including a jury or non-jury trial, in a civil case. (b) The assigned district judge may, in consultation with the Chief Judge, assign cases to a magistrate judge, and will issue to the parties a Notice of Intent to reassign the case to a magistrate judge, as well as a Declination of Consent Form. Local Civil Rules for the District of Alaska Effective October 15, 2025 (c) Any party may decline to consent to have the magistrate judge preside over the case by signing and returning the form within 14 calendar days from the date of service of the Notice. Incarcerated plaintiffs who are proceeding pro se may decline to consent by signing and returning the form within 21 calendar days from the date of service of the Notice.

(d) If a party submits a timely Declination of Consent form, the case will remain assigned to the district judge. Failure to timely submit the form will be deemed as the party’s consent to proceed for all purposes before the assigned magistrate judge.