Cases subject to compulsory arbitration, which are $50,000 or less, and District Justice appeals are placed in the arbitration track. New case filings reported weekly are reviewed by the Civil Court Coordinator. Early identification of arbitration cases provides for timely disposition of these matters. Cases in the arbitration track are randomly assigned to one of the civil judges for monitoring of the case and the handling of all motions and petitions. After arbitration, if there is an appeal filed, the case becomes part of the monitoring judge's active inventory.

Attorneys who would like to serve as an arbitrator must meet certain eligibility requirements. They must be a member of the Bar of Lehigh County, must have an office within Lehigh County, must express a willingness to serve and must submit their name to the Court Administrator. Assignment to a permanent panel is with the approval of the Administrative Judge of the Civil Division.

The Arbitration Coordinator schedules cases for arbitration. District Justice appeals are listed on the first available list sixty days after the appeal is taken. All other matters are listed for hearing on the first available list one year after the complaint is filed.

A case may be scheduled for arbitration upon praecipe of any party. Counsel must serve the opposing side with a notice of intent to praecipe. If additional discovery is needed the responding party must notify counsel within 20 days the nature of discovery wanted. This discovery must be completed within 120 days after which the party may praecipe for arbitration. If no discovery is requested within 20 days, counsel may praecipe for arbitration.

Arbitration hearings are listed for 9:30 A.M. and 1:30 P.M. on days assigned by the court. Hearings are held at the Bar Association Office at 1114 Walnut Street, Allentown, PA

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