Rule 1303 Hearing. Notice

See Rule 248 as to shortening or extending the time for the giving of notice.

(2) The local rule may provide that the written notice required by subdivision (a)(1) include the following statement:

‘‘This matter will be heard by a board of arbitrators at the time, date and place specified but, if one or more of the parties is not present at the hearing, the matter may be heard at the same time and date before a judge of the court without the absent party or parties. There is no right to a trial de novo on appeal from a decision entered by a judge.’’

A party is present if the party or an attorney who has entered an appearance on behalf of the party attends the hearing.

It is within the discretion of the court whether it should hear the matter or whether the matter should proceed in arbitration. If the court is to hear the matter, it should be heard on the same date as the scheduled arbitration hearing.

In hearing the matter, the trial court may take action not available to the arbitrators, including the entry of a nonsuit if the plaintiff is not ready or a non pros if neither party is ready. If the defendant is not ready, it may hear the matter and enter a decision.

For relief from a nonsuit, see Rule 227.1 governing post-trial practice. See also Rule 3051 governing relief from a judgment of non pros.

Following an adverse decision, a defendant who has failed to appear may file a motion for post-trial relief which may include a request for a new trial on the ground of a satisfactory excuse for the defendant’s failure to appear.