REFERRAL OF MOTIONS AND PRETRIAL MATTERS TO

MAGISTRATE JUDGES (a) MATTERS DETERMINABLE BY A MAGISTRATE JUDGE. At the request of the district judge to whom the case is assigned, a magistrate judge may hear and determine any pretrial motion or matter other than those specified in LCvR 72.3 69 of these Rules, and may conduct proceedings and enter orders pursuant to LCvR 16.4 of these Rules. (b) OBJECTIONS TO MAGISTRATE JUDGE'S RULING. Any party may file written objections to a magistrate judge's ruling under paragraph (a) within 14 days after being served with the order of the magistrate judge, unless a different time is prescribed by the magistrate judge or the district judge.

The objections shall specifically designate the order or part thereof to which objection is made, and the basis for the objection. The filing of oppositions and replies shall be governed by LCvR 7(b) and (d). (c) DETERMINATION OF OBJECTIONS. Upon consideration of objections filed in accordance with this Rule, a district judge may modify or set aside any portion of a magistrate judge's order under this Rule found to be clearly erroneous or contrary to law.

A district judge may modify or set aside any portion of a magistrate judge's order pursuant to LCvR 16.5 of these Rules whenever the district judge deems such a modification necessary or appropriate. COMMENT TO LCvR 72.2: The Rule is intended to make clear that objections to the magistrate judge’s proposed findings and recommendations should not be called motions for reconsideration and are to be directed to the district judge.