Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.812

(a) Stipulations to arbitration

When the parties stipulate to arbitration, the case must be set for arbitration forthwith. The stipulation must be filed no later than the time the initial case management statement is filed, unless the court orders otherwise.

(b) Plaintiff election for arbitration

Upon written election of all plaintiffs to submit a case to arbitration, the case must be set for arbitration forthwith, subject to a motion by defendant for good cause to delay the arbitration hearing. The election must be filed no later than the time the initial case management statement is filed, unless the court orders otherwise.

(c) Cross-actions

A case involving a cross-complaint where all plaintiffs have elected to arbitrate must be removed from the list of cases assigned to arbitration if, upon motion of the cross-complainant made within 15 days after notice of the election to arbitrate, the court determines that the amount in controversy relating to the cross-complaint exceeds $50,000.

(d) Case management conference

Absent a stipulation or an election by all plaintiffs to submit to arbitration, cases must be set for arbitration when the court determines that the amount in controversy does not exceed $50,000. The amount in controversy must be determined at the first case management conference or review under the rules on case management in division 7 of this title that takes place after all named parties have appeared or defaulted.