—Claim for Trial De Novo in Arbi-

tration; Judgment (a) A decision of the arbitrator shall become a judgment of the court if no claim for a trial de novo is filed in accordance with subsection (c). (b) A decision of the arbitrator shall become null and void if a claim for a trial de novo is filed in accordance with subsection (c). (c) A claim for a trial de novo must be filed with the court clerk within twenty days after the deposit of the arbitrator’s decision in the United States mail, as evidenced by the postmark. Thirty days after the filing of a timely claim for a trial de novo the court may, in its discretion, schedule the mat- ter for a trial within thirty days thereafter. Only a party who appeared at the arbitration hearing may file a claim for a trial de novo. The decision of the arbitrator shall not be admissible in any proceed- ing resulting after a claim for a trial de novo pursu- ant to this section or from a setting aside of an award pursuant to General Statutes § 52-549aa. (d) The judicial authority may refer any proceed- ing resulting from the filing of a demand for a trial de novo under subsection (c) of this section to a judge trial referee without the consent of the par- ties, and said judge trial referee shall have and exercise the powers of in respect to trial, judgment and appeal in the case, including a judgment of $50,000 or more. the Superior Court (P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 546S.) (Amended June 29, 1998, to take effect Jan. 1, 1999; subsection (c) was amended June 29, 1998, on an interim basis, pursuant to the provisions of Section 1-9 (c), to take effect Jan. 1, 1999; amended June 28, 1999, to take effect Jan. 1, 2000; amended June 24, 2002, to take effect Jan. 1, 2003.) 291 © Copyrighted by the Secretary of the State of the State of Connecticut