Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Civil Action to a Magistrate Judge

US Federal Courts · Civil

Verified current as of July 31, 2026

# Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Civil Action to a Magistrate Judge (AO 85) This form is used when both sides of a civil lawsuit agree to have a magistrate judge (a lower-level judge who handles smaller cases) decide their case instead of a regular federal judge. Either party in a civil lawsuit would use this form when they want a faster, simpler resolution and both sides consent to letting a magistrate judge handle it.