SLR 4-5.014: ASSIGNMENT OF A MOTION JUDGE FOR A CIVIL ACTION

(1) A motion judge for a case will be assigned to each civil action at the time all parties have appeared and any non-appearing parties are subject to an order of default, or have been dismissed from the action. The assignment of a motion judge will be by order of the Presiding Judge filed and entered in the action and written notice of the order will be provided by the court to each appearing party by sending it to the party’s electronic or US Postal Service mailing address for purposes of the action. (2) If a motion judge for a case is required prior to the times set out in section (1) or as provided in section (3), then the moving party must appear at the Presiding Judge’s ex parte time for civil actions and request that a motion judge be assigned to the action. The Presiding Judge will assign a motion judge by order at that time. Actual notice of the assignment must be provided to all appearing parties by the party appearing at ex parte. Prior notice of the ex parte appearance must be given as required by SLR 5.025. (3) A motion judge will not be assigned under this process to any case that is a writ of review or a writ of mandamus, that is otherwise specially assigned by the Presiding Judge to a judge, including complex cases, or any case assigned to arbitration, where the arbitrator has authority to hear and determine the matter. If the motion is beyond the authority of an arbitrator, if arbitration is concluded and the case will continue, or if the special assignment of the case is ended and additional pretrial motions are required, then a party may appear as provided in section (2) of this rule and request the assignment of a motion judge.