Scheduling Order

(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.).