Section 22-2-108.1. Special master panel; selection; notice; powers and duties

   (a) At any time at least five calendar days before commencement of the hearing specified in the order of the judge of the superior court, the condemnee or any other person having a right or interest in the property may, by written notice served on the condemnor and all other parties to the proceeding, select an assessor to hear and decide value issues at the hearing. Within five days after receipt of such notice, the condemnor shall, by written notice served on the condemnee and all other parties to the proceeding, select an assessor to hear and decide value issues at the hearing. The provisions of Code Sections 22-2-40 and 22-2-41 shall apply to the selection of such assessors; provided, however, that the special master appointed pursuant to Code Section 22-2-103 shall serve as the third assessor, shall be compensated as provided for in Code Section 22-2-106, and shall continue to perform the duties set forth in Code Section 22-2-108. Notwithstanding the number of condemnees or any other persons having a right or interest in the property, only one assessor shall be selected on behalf of all such condemnees or interested parties.

(b) In the event that the notice selecting an assessor by the condemnee or other person having a right or interest in the property is not served on the condemnor more than five days before the time on which the hearing is to commence as specified in the order of the judge of the superior court, the special master shall convene the hearing at the time and place specified in the order; and if requested by the condemnor, the special master shall then recess the hearing to a date certain, but not more than five calendar days after such time, to allow the condemnor additional time to select an assessor.

(c) After the condemnee or other person having a right or interest in the property has selected an assessor and the condemnor has selected an assessor, the special master and the two assessors selected by the parties shall constitute the special master panel and, except as otherwise provided in this article, shall perform the duties provided by Code Sections 22-2-61 through 22-2-63. A majority of the special master panel shall decide all value issues which arise at the hearing provided for in Code Section 22-2-102 and shall prepare and submit the award as provided in Code Section 22-2-110.

Code 1981, § 22-2-108.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1998, p. 1539, § 3.