Rule 13.160 - SCHEDULING OF THE HEARING(1) The arbitrator shall set the time, date and place of hearing and shall give reasonable notice of the hearing date to the parties and comply with ORS 36.420. The arbitrator shall also give notice of the hearing date and any continuance to the trial court administrator.(2) A court may adopt a supplementary local rule establishing a deadline for the arbitration hearing and a process for obtaining a postponement or continuance. A supplementary local rule may not allow the arbitration process to extend more than six months from the date the case is assigned to an arbitrator. In the absence of a supplementary local rule adopted pursuant to this section, the requirements set forth below in sections (3) and (4) shall apply.(3) Except for good cause shown, the hearing must be scheduled to take place not sooner than 14 days, or later than 49 days, from the date of assignment of the case to the arbitrator. The parties may stipulate to a postponement or continuance only with the permission of the arbitrator. Such postponements or continuances must also be within the 49-day period. Any continuances or postponements beyond such period require the arbitrator to obtain approval of the presiding judge. The arbitrator must give notice of any continuance to the trial court administrator.(4) Continuances and postponements shall not be granted except in the more unusual circumstances. Approximately two months are allocated for the arbitration process. The arbitrator is given the power to enforce the rules and will be required to maintain the schedule.Or. Uni. Trial. Ct. R. 13.160