HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2359

ARBITRATORS ARE CHOSEN AT RANDOM FROM THE CATEGORICAL LISTS
PREPARED BY THE DIRECTOR UNDER § 3-2A-03(C) OF THIS SUBTITLE, AND
MAY NOT BE CONFINED TO TIME LIMITATIONS IN SUBSECTION (D)(1) OF
THIS SECTION.

[(e)] (F) (1) The parties may, within the time for
returning their lists to the Director, agree in writing upon a
single arbitrator. In that event, they shall advise the Director
in writing of their choice, and the one arbitrator shall
constitute the arbitration panel.

(2) THE DIRECTOR SHALL PREPARE A SEPARATE LIST OF
QUALIFIED ATTORNEYS WILLING TO SERVE AS SINGLE ARBITRATORS.

[(f)] (G) In the absence of an affirmative showing of
malice or bad faith, each arbitrator from the time of acceptance
of appointment has immunity from suit for any act or decision
made during tenure and within the scope of designated authority.

(H) THE PARTIES MAY AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO 30 DAYS BEFORE A
SCHEDULED HEARING STIPULATE TO WAIVE RECOURSE TO THE ARBITRATION
PROCESS. ANY SUCH CASE SHALL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE DOCKET OF THE
CIRCUIT COURT WITH VENUE. THE PARTIES SHALL BE REQUIRED TO FILE
AN ELECTION OF JURY TRIAL WITHIN 15 DAYS OF THE STIPULATION. ANY
PLEADINGS FILED IN THE ARBITRATION OFFICE NEED NOT BE REFILED IN

THE CIRCUIT COURT.

3-2A-05.

(a)  (1) Except as provided under paragraph (2) of this
subsection, all issues of law shall be referred by the Director
to the panel chairman. All issues of fact shall be referred by
the Director to the arbitration panel.

(2) Where a panel chairman has not been appointed OR
IS TEMPORARILY UNABLE TO SERVE, and the Director is admitted to
the Maryland Bar, the Director may rule on all issues of law
arising prior to hearing that are not dispositive of the case AND
SHALL INCLUDE THE ASSESSMENT OF COSTS.

(b)  (1) The provisions of §§ 3-212 through 3-217 and 3-220
of this article are applicable to proceedings under this
subtitle.

(2) Except for the provisions of THE Maryland [Rule
400(a)] RULES relating to time for the completion of discovery,
the provisions of [Chapter 400 of] the Maryland Rules
[(Depositions and Discovery)] RELATING TO DISCOVERY are
applicable to proceedings under this subtitle. All discovery in
any action under this subtitle shall be completed within 270 days
from the date on which all defendants have been served, UNLESS
EXTENDED BY THE PANEL CHAIRMAN FOR GOOD CAUSE SHOWN.