Local Rule 9015. JURY TRIALS

(a) Designation to conduct jury trials. The bankruptcy judges of this district are designated to exercise all jurisdiction in civil jury cases under 28 U.S.C. § 157(e). Consent of the parties may be made in writing or orally on the record and, unless the court orders otherwise, must be given at least thirty (30) days before the date first set for trial.

(b) Demand for jury trial. Fed. R. Civ. P. 38 applies in adversary proceedings where there is a right to trial by jury.

(c) Form of demand. A demand for a jury trial must appear immediately following the title of the complaint or answer containing the demand, or in another document as may be permitted by Fed. R. Civ. P. 38(b). Any notation on an adversary proceeding cover sheet filed under LR 7003 concerning whether a jury trial is, or is not, demanded does not constitute a demand for a jury trial under these Local Rules.

(d) Procedure. In any proceeding in which a demand for jury trial is made, the court will, on a motion of one (1) of the parties or on the court's own motion, determine whether the demand was timely made and whether the demanding party has a right to a jury trial. Even if all the parties have consented to a jury trial, the court may, on its own motion, determine that there is no right to a jury trial in a proceeding.

(e) Consent and withdrawal. Upon the court’s determination that the demand was timely made and the party has a right to a jury trial, and if all parties have not filed a written consent or consented on the record to a jury trial in the bankruptcy court, the bankruptcy court will certify the matter to the district court. Upon certification, the district court will open a new civil matter, and will assign a date for trial. Unless the assigned judge orders otherwise, all proceedings will continue in the bankruptcy court until the matter is ready for trial.

(f) Nonjury determination. If the court determines that a jury demand was not timely made, or the demanding party is not entitled to a jury trial, the proceeding will be heard as a nonjury proceeding before the court.

(g) Certification to United States District Court. If, on timely motion of a party or on the court's own motion, the court determines that a claim is a personal injury tort or wrongful death claim requiring trial by a district court judge, the proceeding will be certified to the district court in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(5).