(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.Added Pub. L. 101-552, §4(b), Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2739, §583; renumbered §573, Pub. L. 102-354, §3(b)(2), Aug. 26, 1992, 106 Stat. 944; amended Pub. L. 104-320, §7(b), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3872.EDITORIAL NOTES
CODIFICATIONSection 573 of former Title 5, Executive Departments and Government Officers and Employees, was transferred to section 2258 of Title 7, Agriculture.
PRIOR PROVISIONSA prior section 573 was renumbered section 593 of this title.
AMENDMENTS1996-Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104-320, §7(b)(1), added subsec. (c) and struck out former subsec. (c) which related to power of Administrative Conference of the United States to establish and utilize standards for neutrals and to enter into contracts for services of neutrals.Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 104-320, §7(b)(2), struck out "on a roster established under subsection (c)(2) or a roster maintained by other public or private organizations, or individual" after "contract with any person". 1992- Pub. L. 102-354 renumbered section 583 of this title as this section.