Rule 4019* - Discovery MasterIn order to facilitate the prompt disposition of discovery matters, the Court adopts Local Rule of Civil Procedure 4019 * implementing what shall be known as the "Discovery Master Program" as follows:
(1) The Board of Judges shall appoint a designated number of members of the Bar to serve as Discovery Masters, for an indeterminate term, without compensation, at the pleasure of the Court.(2) All motions respecting discovery, other than a motion for sanctions, together with a rule to show cause why the relief sought should not be granted, shall be presented to the Court Administrator, after filing with the Prothonotary, for a return day on the rule. The moving party shall promptly serve the respondent with a copy of the motion and rule designating the return date. The cover sheet of moving party must state that counsel have conferred in a good faith effort to resolve the discovery dispute.(3) If the motion is resolved amicably prior to the return day, the motion shall either be withdrawn or a stipulated order shall be submitted to the Court Administrator for submission to the signing Judge. If the motion is opposed, the parties shall appear in a courtroom or arbitration room designated by the Court Administrator on the Friday of the week in which the rule was made returnable, to argue the matter before the Discovery Master scheduled by the Court Administrator to hear the matter. In the event the Friday of the week in which the rule was made returnable is a legal holiday, the matter shall be argued before the Discovery Master on the Thursday following the return day. Briefs in support of and in opposition to the motion may be submitted to the Court Administrator's Office prior to the day on which the matter is to be argued before the Discovery Master.(4) After hearing argument and considering the motion and answer, and any briefs filed, the Discovery Master shall submit a written recommendation and proposed order to the designated Judge for the case for entry of an appropriate order.(5) In civil actions in which the damages sought exceeded the jurisdictional limit for compulsory arbitration, any party may request the judge assigned to the case to direct the Court Administrator to list the case for a Discovery Management Conference before a Discovery Master. The Discovery Master may recommend a Discovery Management Order, which establishes the following: a. A date for completion of all discovery, except for depositions for use at trial;b. A date for plaintiff to submit expert reports and curricula vitae of said experts, or answer expert interrogatories;c. A date for defendant to submit expert reports and curricula vitae of said experts, or answer expert interrogatories;(6) The parties may, by agreement in writing, extend any dates set forth in the Discovery management Order.(7) Upon request of any party, for good cause shown, the Discovery Master may recommend an extension of any dates set forth in the Discovery Management Order.Cover Sheet of Moving Party is available on Prothonotary's website under forms.