5 U.S.C.
§ 573. Neutrals
(a) A neutral may be a permanent or temporary officer or employee of
the Federal Government or any other individual who is acceptable to the parties to a dispute
resolution proceeding. A neutral shall have no official, financial, or personal conflict of interest
with respect to the issues in controversy, unless such interest is fully disclosed in writing to all
parties and all parties agree that the neutral may serve.
(b) A neutral who serves as a conciliator, facilitator, or mediator serves
at the will of the parties.
(c) The President shall designate an agency or designate or establish an
interagency committee to facilitate and encourage agency use of dispute resolution under this
subchapter. Such agency or interagency committee, in consultation with other appropriate
Federal agencies and professional organizations experienced in matters concerning dispute
resolution, shall--
(1) encourage and facilitate agency use of alternative means of dispute
resolution; and
(2) develop procedures that permit agencies to obtain the services of
neutrals on an expedited basis.
(d) An agency may use the services of one or more employees of other
agencies to serve as neutrals in dispute resolution proceedings. The agencies may enter into an
interagency agreement that provides for the reimbursement by the user agency or the parties of
the full or partial cost of the services of such an employee.
(e) Any agency may enter into a contract with any person for services
as a neutral, or for training in connection with alternative means of dispute resolution. The
parties in a dispute resolution proceeding shall agree on compensation for the neutral that is fair
and reasonable to the Government.
|