Effect of Reference

(a) When any case shall be referred, no trial will be had by the court unless the reference be revoked upon stipulation of the parties or order of the court. Any reference shall continue in force until the duties thereunder have been performed or the order revoked. (b) In making a reference in any eminent domain proceeding, the court shall fix a date not more than sixty days thereafter, unless for good cause shown a longer period is required, on which the parties shall exchange copies of their appraisal reports. Such reports shall set forth the valuation placed upon the property in issue and the details of the items of, or the basis for, such valuation. The court may, in its discretion and under such conditions as it deems proper, and after notice and hearing, grant a further extension of time, beyond that originally fixed, to any party confronted with unusual and special circum- stances requiring additional time for the exchange of appraisal reports. (P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 432.) (Amended June 28, 1999, to take effect Jan. 1, 2000.)