The Division issued a memorandum dated June 6, 1980, to all United States Attorneys, announcing the Department of Justice policy favoring consent to trial of land condemnation cases by United States Magistrates in appropriate circumstances, as defined in 28 U.S.C. § 50.11. The policy furthers the goals of the Federal Magistrates Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-82) and will also expedite trial in appropriate circumstances. All attorneys in the United States Attorneys' offices are encouraged to seek the consent of parties to trials, either by a magistrate or by a jury presided over by a magistrate, in appropriate cases. For a detailed statement of the Division's policy in this regard, see the ENRD Resource Manual.

[updated April 2018]