Rule 1303.2 - Scheduling of Arbitration Hearing: Notice(1) A matter subject to compulsory arbitration shall be listed for hearing by (1) praecipe of any party when the pleadings are closed or the time for filing pleadings has ended, and there are not any outstanding motions requiring disposition by the court, or by (2) the court administrator under circumstances hereafter described.(2) By Praecipe of Any Party A party may, following compliance with the discovery notice herein required, request that a matter be scheduled for arbitration by using forms provided by the clerk of courts, civil division for such purpose.
(i) A party shall not praecipe a case for arbitration until the party has served upon opposing counsel and any unrepresented parties a notice of intent to request arbitration. Within twenty (20) days after the date of the notice, a party desiring any additional discovery shall notify other counsel and unrepresented parties of the scope and nature of such additional discovery. Discovery must be completed within 120 days from the giving of notice to pursue additional discovery.(ii) If no discovery request is sent within twenty (20) days after the date of the notice of intent to arbitrate, a party may praecipe the case for arbitration by filing same with clerk of courts.(iii) If a discovery request is made, a party may praecipe the case for arbitration upon completion of discovery or the expiration of 120 days from the giving of the notice to pursue discovery, whichever comes first, unless the time for discovery is extended by the court.(iv) A party shall not be required to serve notice of intent to request arbitration if the matter has been pending for a period one (1) year or more.(v) Notwithstanding the foregoing, discovery in cases involving district justice appeals shall be completed within sixty (60) days from the filing of the appeal.(3) As Set by the Court Administrator The court administrator may schedule matters for arbitration under the following circumstances:
(i) All matters that are appeals from a district justice decision may be scheduled for arbitration hearing sixty (60) days after the appeal is taken, unless there are outstanding pleadings, motions, petitions, or other matters that require court disposition. The parties to a district justice appeal shall file pleadings and complete discovery within sixty (60) days of the date of the appeal.(ii) All other matters which are subject to compulsory arbitration may be scheduled for arbitration hearing no later than one (1) year after the commencement of the action, unless there are outstanding motions, petitions, or other matters that require court disposition. The parties to an action which is subject to compulsory arbitration shall file all pleadings and complete all discovery within six (6) months of the date of the commencement of the action, unless the time for completion of discovery has been extended by the court upon motion of any party.(4) In the event one or more parties do not appear for the scheduled arbitration, the remaining parties may consent to having the judge assigned to monitor the case hear the matter on the same date as the scheduled arbitration hearing. It shall be discretionary with the judge whether to hear the case as requested.(5) The filing of dispositive motions within thirty (30) days of the scheduled arbitration hearing shall not be grounds for continuance of the hearing unless good cause is shown.Amended effective 1/1/2020; amended effective 7/1/2023.