In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. §
Post# of 11036
Civ. P. 73, the parties in this case may voluntarily consent to have a
United States Magistrate Judge conduct any and all further
proceedings in the case, including the trial, and order the entry of
final judgment. The consent must be unanimous, and any appeal
must be taken to the United States Court of Appeals. If the parties
do not presently consent, they may do so at a later time and the case
will remain with the assigned United States District Judge or, if not
previously assigned, will be randomly assigned to a United States
District Judge.
Has there been any documentation that consent has been unanimous for this change?
If so, that's interesting news. I'm not sure what it would mean, but I'm curious why they would change to the magistrate.