418.864 Hearing by arbitrator; qualifications of arbitrator; adherence to civil rules of evidence; testimony; record; transcript; costs; place of hearing; briefs; order; opinion; findings of fact; review of questions of law; voluntary arbitration; fee of arbitrator.

Sec. 864.

    (1) Any case for which an application for a hearing under section 847 has been filed may be heard by 1 arbitrator mutually agreed upon in writing by the parties.

    (2) If a dispute or controversy is to be reviewed by the appeal board or the appellate commission, 1 arbitrator mutually agreed upon in writing by all parties may hear the matter and render a decision based upon that record.

    (3) An arbitrator provided for under this section shall be a member in good standing of the state bar of Michigan or an arbitrator of the American arbitration association.

    (4) An arbitrator shall adhere to the civil rules of evidence at an arbitration hearing if the failure to do so will result in substantial prejudice to the rights of a party.

    (5) Testimony shall be taken under oath and a record of the hearing shall be made. Any party, at that party's expense, may provide for a written transcript of the proceedings. The cost of any transcription ordered by the arbitrator for his or her own use shall be paid for by the general fund of the state.

    (6) The arbitrator shall conduct the hearing in the county in which the injury occurred or anywhere mutually agreed upon by all of the parties.

    (7) The arbitrator may require submission of written briefs within 30 days after the close of the hearing. In the written briefs, each party may summarize the evidence and shall specify those portions of the record that support that party's claim.

    (8) The arbitrator shall render his or her order within 30 days after the close of the hearing or the receipt of briefs, if required. The order shall be in writing and shall be signed by the arbitrator.

    (9) In addition to the order, the arbitrator shall issue a written opinion which states his or her reasoning for the order, including any findings of fact and conclusions of law.

    (10) The order and opinion shall be part of the record of the arbitration proceeding under this chapter.

    (11) The findings of fact made by the arbitrator acting within his or her powers, in the absence of fraud, shall be conclusive. The court of appeals and the supreme court shall have power to review questions of law involved in any final order of the arbitrator, if application is made by the aggrieved party within 30 days after the order by any method permissible under the Michigan court rules.

    (12) Arbitration under this section shall be voluntary.

    (13) The fee of an arbitrator under this section shall be paid from the general fund of the state in amounts as prescribed by rules promulgated by the director.