Discovery & Magistrate Referral
N.D. Tex. — The N.D. Tex. Local Civil Rules (effective September 1, 2026) contain no district-wide rule on referring discovery disputes to a magistrate judge.
The N.D. Tex. Local Civil Rules (effective September 1, 2026) contain no district-wide rule on referring discovery disputes to a magistrate judge. The authority for magistrate referral rests in 28 U.S.C. § 636, which authorizes district courts to designate magistrate judges for pretrial matters; whether and how discovery disputes go to a magistrate judge in a particular case depends on the presiding judge's standing orders and individual procedures.
What the local rules do govern is briefing on objections to a magistrate judge's rulings.
Objections to orders in nondispositive matters (LR 72.1):
(a) "Objections filed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(a) must be accompanied by a brief that sets forth the party's contentions of fact and/or law, and argument and authorities, and complies with LR 7.2."
(b) "A response brief to objections filed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(a) must comply with LR 7.2 and be filed within 21 days from the date the objections are filed."
(c) "Unless otherwise directed by the presiding judge, a party who files objections under Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(a) may file a reply brief within 14 days from the date the response brief is filed."
Objections to recommendations on dispositive motions and prisoner petitions (LR 72.2):
(a) "Objections filed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b)(2) must be accompanied by a brief that sets forth the party's contentions of fact and/or law, and argument and authorities, and complies with LR 7.2."
(b) "A response brief to objections filed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b)(2) must comply with LR 7.2." LR 72.2(b) sets no response deadline of its own. The response period comes from Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b)(2).
(c) "Unless otherwise directed by the presiding judge, a party who files objections under Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b)(2) may file a reply brief within 14 days from the date the response brief is filed."
Under both rules, a party who relies on depositions, documents, declarations, or other materials must include them in an appendix that complies with LR 7.1(i)(2)-(4) (LR 72.1(d), 72.2(d)). The objecting party is responsible for preparing the record and, if necessary, obtaining a hearing transcript (LR 72.1(e), 72.2(e)).