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U.S. Code as of:
01/03/05
Section 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.
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