A motion by a party for the appointment of a referee under Code of Civil Procedure section 639 must be served and filed. The motion must specify the matter or matters to be included in the requested reference. If the applicant is requesting the appointment of a particular referee, the motion must be accompanied by the proposed referee’s certification as required by rule 3, 924(a).

The motion must be heard by the judge to whom the case is assigned, or by the presiding judge or law and motion judge if the case has not been assigned.