Civil litigation shall be scheduled for trial in the following manner:

• Unless the case is subject to other disposition, the matter should be timely set for Scheduling Conference.¹ All litigants are under a duty to timely notify the Court when the case is at issue. This Order will not prevent the entry of Default against any litigant failing to Answer a Claim or Counterclaim, nor will it stay motion response deadlines which may be otherwise applicable.

• At the Scheduling Conference, all interested parties shall make one of the following announcements:

Jury is demanded- the case will be set for jury trial for a date certain at that time;

Jury is waived/ not applicable--the case will be set for bench trial for a date certain at that time; or

It is premature to waive or demand jury.

• In the event that it is suggested that it is premature to waive or demand jury, then the Court may set all interim dates (other than the trial and pretrial dates), and set the matter for status on a date certain, to follow the conclusion of the discovery and motion cutoff. At the status conference, all parties shall be expected to either demand or waive jury, at which time the matter will be set for pretrial.

• The pretrial conference will not be conducted absent a showing that mediation was attempted, or that good cause existed to forego mediation. The clients must be present in person for the pretrial conference.

• No pretrial conference on a civil jury matter shall go forward absent a showing that the jury fee has been paid. Plaintiff shall be required to provide all jury instructions and proposed verdict forms to opposing counsel and the Court.

• Neither the status conference noted above, nor the pretrial conference shall be continued without a written notation from any litigant not in default showing that the litigant either consents or objects to the continuance. This writing shall be signed by the client, not the attorney. If this document cannot be obtained, the reason shall be set forth in a verified pleading.

• Plaintiffs shall be responsible for timely furnishing a copy of this local rule to all Defendants.