Rule 13.050 Arbitration When Case Already Set for Trial

If your case already has a trial date, you generally can't switch it to arbitration if the trial is coming up soon. Specifically, the court won't send your case to arbitration if it's within 63 days of the trial date, unless a judge specifically approves it.

There's one exception to this. If both sides agree on who the arbitrator will be and pick a hearing date that happens at least 28 days before the trial date, they can move forward with arbitration without needing special permission from the court.