Common Law Procedure Act 1854

III Power to Court or Judge to direct Arbitration before Trial.

If it be made appear, at any Time after the issuing of the Writ, to the Satisfaction of the Court or a Judge, upon the Application of either Party, that the Matter in dispute consists wholly or in part of Matters of mere Account which cannot conveniently be tried in the ordinary Way, it shall be lawful for such Court or Judge, upon such Application, if they or he think fit, to decide such Matter in a summary Manner, or to order that such Matter, either wholly or in part, be referred to an Arbitrator appointed by the Parties, or to an Officer of the Court, or, in Country Causes, to the Judge of any County Court, upon such Terms as to Costs and otherwise as such Court or Judge shall think reasonable; and the Decision or Order of such Court or Judge, or the Award or Certificate of such Referee, shall be enforceable by the same Process as the Finding of a Jury upon the Matter referred.