Authority of Arbitrators

SCCAR 3.2 AUTHORITY OF ARBITRATORS (a) Authority of Arbitrator. An arbitrator has the authority to: (1) Decide procedural issues arising before or during the arbitration hearing, except issues relating to the qualifications of an arbitrator; (2) Invite, with reasonable notice, the parties to submit trial briefs; (3) Examine any site or object relevant to the case; (4) Issue a subpoena under rule 4.3; (5) Administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses; (6) Rule on the admissibility of evidence under rule 5.3; (7) Determine the facts, decide the law, and make an award; (8) Award costs and attorney fees as authorized by law; and (9) Perform other acts as authorized by these rules or local rules adopted and filed under rule 8.2. (b) Authority of the Court. The court shall decide: (1) Motions for involuntary dismissal, motions to change or add parties to the case, and motions for summary judgment; and (2) Issues relating to costs and attorney fees if those issues cannot otherwise be decided by the arbitrator. [Adopted effective July 1, 1980; Amended effective September 1, 1989; September 1, 1994; September 1, 2011; December 3, 2019.]