a Arbitrator’s powers. The arbitrator has the power to administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses, determine the admissibility of evidence, and decide the law and the facts in an action.
Rule 74.General proceedings and prehearing procedures.
Last amended July 1, 2018 · Last verified July 1, 2026
In one sentenceRule 74 sets out an arbitrator's general powers and the prehearing procedures for a case assigned to compulsory arbitration, including which motions the arbitrator can't decide and how discovery disputes reach the court.
Full Text of Rule 74
c Scheduling an arbitration hearing. The arbitrator must set a hearing date not earlier than 60 days nor later than 120 days after the arbitrator’s appointment. If good cause exists, an arbitrator may set a hearing date that is before or after this time period, or reschedule a noticed hearing date for a date later than 120 days after the arbitrator is appointed. The arbitrator must provide at least 30 days’ written notice of the hearing’s time and place, unless waived by the parties. Unless the parties agree otherwise, no hearings may be held on Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, or evenings.
d Arbitrator’s rulings.
1 Authorized rulings. After an action has been assigned to an arbitrator, the arbitrator will make all legal rulings, including rulings on motions, except on:
A motions to continue on the Dismissal Calendar or otherwise extend time allowed under Rule 38.1 (d);
B motions to consolidate actions under Rule 42;
C motions to dismiss;
D motions to withdraw as attorney of record under Rule 5.3;
E motions for summary judgment that, if granted, would dispose of the entire case as to any party; and
F motions for sanctions under Rule 68(g).
2 Procedure. The parties must deliver to the arbitrator copies of all documents requiring the arbitrator’s consideration. The arbitrator may hear motions and testimony by telephone.
3 Discovery motions. In ruling on discovery motions, the arbitrator should consider that the purpose of compulsory arbitration is to provide for the efficient and inexpensive handling of small claims, and may limit discovery when appropriate to accomplish this purpose.
4 Interlocutory appeal of discovery ruling. If an arbitrator makes a discovery ruling requiring the disclosure of matters that a party claims are privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure, the party may appeal the ruling by filing a motion with the judge assigned to the action within 10 days after the arbitrator transmits the ruling to the parties. No party need respond to the motion unless the court so orders, but no such motion may be granted without the court providing an opportunity for response. The arbitrator’s ruling is subject to de novo review by the court. If the court finds that the motion is frivolous or was filed for the purpose of delay or harassment, the court must impose sanctions on the party filing the motion, including an award of reasonable attorney’s fees incurred in responding to the motion. The time for conducting an arbitration hearing is tolled while such motion is pending.
e Time for filing summary judgment motion. A motion for summary judgment must be filed at least 20 days before the date for hearing. A copy of the motion must be delivered to the arbitrator and judge assigned to the action. The time for conducting an arbitration hearing is tolled while any such motion is pending. If the court finds that the motion is frivolous or was filed for the purpose of delay or harassment, it must impose sanctions on the party filing the motion, including an award of reasonable attorney’s fees incurred in responding to the motion.
f Receipt of court file. If the arbitrator believes the court file contains materials needed to conduct the arbitration hearing, the arbitrator may, within 4 days before the hearing, sign for and receive the original superior court file from the clerk, if the file exists in paper form. If the clerk maintains an electronic court record, the arbitrator must have access to the original or to a certified paper or electronic copy of the file. The clerk may deliver the documents electronically to any arbitrator who files a consent in a form acceptable to the clerk. Alternatively, the arbitrator may order the parties to provide the arbitrator those pleadings and other documents the arbitrator deems necessary.
g Settlement of actions assigned to arbitration. If the parties settle an action assigned to arbitration, they must file with the court an appropriate stipulation for the entry of final judgment or a dismissal order, and must mail or otherwise deliver a copy to the arbitrator. The arbitration terminates on entry of the judgment or order.
Amendment History
Promulgated by R-16-0010, effective January 1, 2017; amended by R-17-0010, effective July 1, 2018.
Plain-English Summary
An arbitrator can administer oaths, rule on the admissibility of evidence, and decide both the law and the facts of the case, and the parties must serve their initial disclosure on the usual schedule unless they agree or the arbitrator orders otherwise. The arbitrator sets the hearing date, generally between 60 and 120 days after appointment, with at least 30 days' written notice, and hearings normally can't be held on weekends, holidays, or evenings unless the parties agree otherwise. Once a case is assigned, the arbitrator handles all legal rulings and motions except for a defined list — motions to continue on the Dismissal Calendar, motions to consolidate, motions to dismiss, motions to withdraw as attorney of record, case-dispositive summary judgment motions, and Rule 68(g) sanctions motions — which go to the assigned judge instead. The arbitrator should keep discovery limited to what fits the efficient, inexpensive resolution that compulsory arbitration is meant to provide.
If an arbitrator's discovery ruling would require disclosing material a party claims is privileged, that party can appeal the ruling to the assigned judge within 10 days, and the judge reviews the ruling de novo; a frivolous or delay-driven appeal draws sanctions, including the responding party's attorney's fees, and the arbitration hearing clock pauses while the appeal is pending. A summary judgment motion must be filed at least 20 days before the hearing and likewise pauses that clock, with the same sanctions available for a frivolous filing. The arbitrator can access the court file directly or have the parties supply necessary documents, and if the parties settle, they file a stipulation for judgment or dismissal that ends the arbitration. Any party can still make a Rule 68 offer of judgment even though the case is in arbitration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which motions can't the arbitrator decide?
Motions to continue on the Dismissal Calendar, to consolidate actions, to dismiss, to withdraw as attorney of record, case-dispositive summary judgment motions, and Rule 68(g) sanctions motions all go to the assigned judge instead.
What happens if I disagree with the arbitrator's ruling on a privilege dispute?
You can appeal to the assigned judge within 10 days, who reviews the ruling de novo; a frivolous appeal can result in sanctions including the other side's attorney's fees.
When must a summary judgment motion be filed in an arbitration case?
At least 20 days before the scheduled hearing, and filing it pauses the clock for conducting the arbitration hearing.
Can I still make an offer of judgment while my case is in arbitration?
Yes. A party to an arbitration case may serve a Rule 68 offer of judgment just as in any other civil action.
Source & verification. The rule text and History are reproduced verbatim from the
official Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure (Ariz. R. Civ. P. 74). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Arizona (Ariz. Const. art. 6, § 5). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 1, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: arbitration prehearing procedures rule