LCvR42 – Consolidation; Separate Trials

LCvR42-1 Consolidation.

(a)

Motion to Consolidate. Any party may file a motion to consolidate two or more cases before a single judge if the party believes that such cases or matters: (1) arise from substantially the same transaction or event; (2) involve substantially the same parties or property; (3) involve the same patent, trademark, or copyright; (4) call for determination of substantially the same questions of law; or (5) for any other reason that would entail substantial duplication of labor or unnecessary court costs or delay if heard by different judges. A motion to consolidate shall be filed in the lowest numbered case included in the proposed consolidation, shall include a list identifying all cases pending that are related to the case, and shall be decided by the district judge to whom the lowest numbered case is assigned.

(b)

Notice of Filing. A notice of filing of a motion to consolidate shall be filed by the movant as a party or, with the assistance of the Clerk of Court, as an interested party in all other cases proposed for consolidation.

(c)

Assignment. Consolidated cases shall be reassigned to the judicial officer to whom the lowest numbered consolidated case was assigned.