D. Wyo. U.S.D.C.L.R. 40.2

(a) Assignment of Cases.

It is the policy of this Court to provide for the assignment of cases among the district

judges and full-time magistrate judges of this District by random selection through the

electronic case assignment system. Please see Administrative Order 2014-03:

https://www.wyd.uscourts.gov/sites/wyd/files/General_Order_re_Direct_Assignment_of_Civil_

Cases_to_MJs.pdf. In order to provide for parity of work among the active judges of this

District, the following procedures shall apply:

(1) Filing and Assignment of Civil Cases.

(A) In compliance with Local Rule 3.1, a civil cover sheet shall be

submitted at the commencement of each civil action (excluding pro se litigants). The civil cover

sheet shall indicate whether the case is related to any other action pending or terminated within

the previous twelve (12) months and the nature of the relationship. If no relationship is

indicated, the case shall be assigned as provided in paragraph (i) below. If a relationship is

indicated, the case shall be assigned as provided in paragraph (ii) below.

(i) The Clerk of Court shall maintain a computerized case

assignment system for the random selection and assignment of civil cases to district judges in an

equal apportionment for each judge, except as may be determined by the Chief Judge.

(ii) If a relationship is indicated to a pending case or one

terminated within the previous twelve (12) months, the Clerk of Court shall notify the judge

assigned to the earlier related case or cases. That judge shall promptly review the relationship

and notify the Clerk of Court for random assignment, if there is no relationship. If the judge

determines a relationship exists, the case shall be assigned to that judge.

(2) Filing and Assignment of Appeals. Appeals from decisions of magistrate

judges and bankruptcy judges, in previously unassigned cases, shall be assigned to district

judges, in accordance with these procedures.

(3) Emergency Case Filings. In cases of an emergency nature requiring

immediate action by a judge, the Clerk of Court shall determine the availability of a judge to act.

Once a judge has acted, he or she shall promptly return the case to the Clerk of Court for

assignment or advise the Clerk of Court that he or she intends to keep the case.

(4) Recusal and Disqualification of a Judge. Recusal and disqualification of a

judge shall be by formal order. Upon recusal or disqualification, the Chief Judge shall order the

case reassigned.

(5) It shall be the responsibility of the Chief Judge to review, at least annually,

the pending caseloads of the judges in service and to suggest reassignment when it is

determined that there is an imbalance which is adversely affecting litigants. In considering the

question of such reassignment, this Court will consider the categories of cases for which

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Congress has mandated priorities. All reassignments or transfers of cases from one judge to

another shall be made only with the approval of the Chief Judge.

(b) Case Assignment Reports.

At the end of each month, the Clerk of Court shall prepare a report showing the number

of cases assigned to and pending before each judge, and such other information as the Chief

Judge may direct.

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