(a) Notice of change. Except in actions with only one party, all parties joined in the action may, by unanimous agreement and without cause, change the judge assigned to the action by filing a notice of change of judge. The parties shall send a copy of the notice to the assigned judge and the presiding judge. The notice shall be signed by all parties and shall state: (1) the name of the assigned judge; (2) the date on which the action was commenced; (3) that all parties joined in the action have agreed to the change; (4) that no other persons are expected to be named as parties; and (5) that a good faith effort has been made to serve all parties named in the pleadings. The notice shall not specify any reason for the change of judge. Under no circumstances shall more than one change of judge be allowed under this rule in an action. (b) Time. Unless extended by the court upon a showing of good cause, the notice must be filed within 90 days after commencement of the action or prior to the notice of trial setting, whichever occurs first. Failure to file a timely notice precludes any change of judge under this rule.(c) Assignment of action. Upon the filing of a notice of change, the assigned judge shall take no further action in the case. The presiding judge shall promptly determine whether the notice is proper and, if so, shall reassign the action. If the presiding judge is also the assigned judge, the clerk shall promptly send the notice to the associate presiding judge, to another judge of the district, or to any judge of a court of like jurisdiction, who shall determine whether the notice is proper and, if so, shall reassign the action.(d) Nondisclosure to court. No party shall communicate to the court, or cause another to communicate to the court, the fact of any party’s seeking consent to a notice of change.(e) Rule 63 unaffected. This rule does not affect any rights under Rule 63.
