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. Source: SL 1976, ch 155 , § 19; SL 1987, ch 29 , § 28.