SDCL § 21-25B-10: Appointment of arbitration officer--Qualifications--Filing of papers with officer.

The presiding judge of the circuit court shall, within ten days after institution as a claim pursuant to § 21-25B-6, appoint an arbitration officer to sit with the health care services arbitration panel. The arbitration officer shall be an individual licensed to practice law in the State of South Dakota. The written statement of the complainant and all other papers in the case shall be filed with the arbitration officer until the work of the panel has been completed.