E.D. Okla. LCvR 40.1

(a) Random Assignment in Criminal Cases. Criminal cases shall be assigned to district

judges according to a system based on random selection both for initial assignment

and for assignment in the event of recusal. The system of random case assignment,

distribution of cases, and rotating supervision of the Grand Jury shall be determined

by the Court.

(b) Random Assignment in Civil Cases. Civil cases shall be assigned to district judges,

senior district judges and magistrate judges according to a system based on random

selection: (i) for the initial assignment of cases; (ii) for the reassignment of any

case in the event of recusal; (iii) for the reassignment of any case initially assigned to a

magistrate judge after the election of the district judge option by any party, as set forth

in subsection (c) below; and, (iv) for the reassignment to a magistrate judge of any case

initially assigned to a district judge after all parties have consented pursuant to 28

U.S.C. § 636(c). The system of random case assignment and distribution of cases shall

be determined by the Court.

(c) Civil Cases Initially Assigned to a Magistrate Judge. In any civil case initially assigned

to a magistrate judge, the clerk shall provide the parties with forms for consent

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) or, in the alternative, the election of the district judge

option. Until all parties have consented, or until any party has elected the district judge

option, the assigned magistrate judge shall by designation pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §

636(b)(l)(A) exercise the authority of the District Court to conduct all non-dispositive

proceedings and to enter all orders on such matters. This authority shall terminate

upon reassignment of the case to a district judge upon election by any party of the

district judge option.

(d) Companion Cases. Upon the filing of companion cases (i. e., cases involving the

same transaction regardless of the parties thereto), the parties shall promptly notify the

assigned judges. Those judges shall determine whether the cases are in fact companions

and whether a transfer is in order, in which event the cases shall be transferred to the

judge assigned to the earliest case.