The duties of the arbitration officer are:

(1) To act as liaison between the health care services arbitration panel and the presiding judge of the circuit court;

Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 21-25B-11

  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.

(2) To advise the health care services arbitration panel on questions of law and procedure and rule on admissibility of evidence as provided in § 21-25B-23;

(3) To arrange for court reporters, hearing rooms, and the other logistical needs of the health care services arbitration panel;

(4) To prepare and serve notices for the panel;

(5) To oversee the selection of the members of the panel;

(6) To reduce the decision of the panel on liability and damages to writing and to serve it upon the parties to the controversy;

(7) To assist members of the panel in submitting their claims for compensation from the health care services arbitration account;

(8) At the request of a party or a member of the panel, to issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and for the production of books, records, documents, and other evidence; and

(9) To perform any other assignments which are consistent with the intent of this chapter made by either the presiding judge of the circuit court or the health care services arbitration panel.

Source: SL 1976, ch 155, § 20.