(a) The award shall be signed by the panel of arbitrators or at least a majority of them. The chairperson shall file a report and the award with the commissioner within 20 days after the hearing, and mail or deliver copies thereof to the parties or their counsel. The commissioner shall mark his files accordingly, file the original with the clerk of the court where the action was commenced or, if the action was transferred, the court to which it was transferred, and notify the parties of such filing.

(b) Unless a demand is made for a trial de novo, or the award vacated, the award shall be final and judgment shall be entered thereon by the clerk of the court where the action was commenced or, if the action was transferred, the clerk of the court to which it was transferred, with costs and disbursements taxed in accordance with the Civil Practice Law and Rules, the Uniform City Court Act, the New York City Civil Court Act, or the Uniform District Court Act, as the case may be.