In 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 five members of the Bar who
shall have practiced civil law in Montgomery County for a minimum of
15 years 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motion shall either be withdrawn or a stipulated order shall be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.
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.
