The parties may extend the time within which an action must be brought to trial pursuant to this article by the following means:
(a) By written stipulation. The stipulation need not be filed but, if it is not filed, the stipulation shall be brought to the attention of the court if relevant to a motion for dismissal.
(b) By oral agreement made in open court, if entered in the minutes of the court or a transcript is made.
(Added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1705, Sec. 5.)