Rule 6-501. Where Both Parties Agree.

In cases where both parties agreed to be bound by the result of the arbitration and the award is not satisfied within thirty (30) days after the date of its mailing or other service by the Committee, either party may request the filing of the award on the records of the Superior Court of the county of residence of the party who has failed to satisfy the award. If not a Georgia resident, the award shall be entered in the county where the award was made. The said request shall be in writing with a copy mailed to the opposing party, shall be accompanied by all filing fees, and shall designate the appropriate county in which the award is to be entered. The Committee shall then mail the original award to the Clerk of the Superior Court of the designated county who shall file it in the same manner as the commencement of a new civil action and shall serve a copy bearing the civil action number and judge assignment by certified mail on all parties, with notice that if no objection under oath, including facts indicating that the award was the result of accident, or mistake, or the fraud of some one or all of the arbitrators or parties, or is otherwise illegal, is filed within thirty (30) days, the award shall become final. Upon application of the party filing the award, the Clerk of the Superior Court shall issue a Writ of FiFa. The FiFa may then be entered on the general execution docket in any jurisdiction.

All filing fees shall be furnished by the party or parties who requested that the award be so entered.

In the event an objection is properly filed, the Superior Court shall cause an issue to be made up which issue shall be tried by the court sitting without a jury under the same rules and regulations as are prescribed for the trials of appeals. Thus, the Superior Court shall render its decision from the record without a de novo trial on the merits and shall affirm the award, vacate the award, or return the award to the arbitrators with specific directions for further consideration. The decision of the Superior Court shall be final and not subject to appeal.

The General Counsel or an Assistant General Counsel of the State Bar of Georgia, or other volunteer lawyer may represent, assist, or advise any party in the collection of a final judgement or in the Superior Court's review of awards.