(a) Cases filed after the effective date of these rules which are, on the date of filing and pursuant to these rules, subject to arbitration proceedings, should be assigned to mandatory arbitration no later than two hundred eighty (280) days from the filing date. All discovery shall have a completion date at least thirty (30) days prior to the mandatory arbitration hearing. After a case is assigned to the mandatory arbitration calendar, the discovery closure date shall not be changed except by leave of court for good cause shown.

(b) Consolidated actions shall be heard on the date assigned to the earliest claim filed, except that, in no event shall any consolidated hearings be heard earlier than sixty (60) days subsequent to the order of consolidation unless the court provided otherwise by order.

(c) Counsel shall give immediate written notification to both the court and to the Arbitration Administrator of any dismissal pursuant to any settlement of cases or changes of appearance.

[Amended July 30, 2001, effective August 1, 2001.]