A claimant may request default proceedings against any respondent that falls within one of the following categories and fails to file an answer within the time provided by the Code:

This rule applies to arbitrations involving $50,000 or less, exclusive of interest and expenses.

(a) Before a claim has been answered by a party, the claimant may withdraw the claim against that party with or without prejudice.

(b) After a claim has been answered by a party, the claimant may only withdraw it against that party with prejudice unless the panel decides, or the claimant and that party agree, otherwise.

(a) Parties to an arbitration may agree to settle their dispute at any time. Parties who settle must file notice with the Director. The Director will continue to administer the arbitration, and fees may continue to accrue, until the Director receives written notice of the settlement.

(a) The panel must dismiss an arbitration or a claim at the joint request of the parties to that arbitration or claim.

The panel may reopen the record on its own initiative or upon motion of any party at any time before the award is rendered, unless prohibited by applicable law.

(a) The panel will decide when the record is closed. Once the record is closed, no further submissions will be accepted from any party.

(b) In cases in which no hearing is held, the record is presumed to be closed when the Director sends the pleadings to the panel, unless the panel requests, or agrees to accept, additional submissions from any party.

Generally, the claimant shall present its case, followed by the respondent's defense. The panel has the discretion to vary the order in which the hearing is conducted, provided that each party is given a fair opportunity to present its case.