SDCL § 21-25B-12: Service of claim on defendant--Defendant's statement submitted to arbitration officer--Copy to claimant.

The arbitration officer shall, within five days of appointment, serve a copy of the written statement of claim upon the defendant or defendants by registered or certified mail. The defendant shall, within twenty days following receipt of a copy of the written statement of the claim, submit a written statement of his own case to the arbitration officer with a copy to the claimant.