§ 653. — Neutrals.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 28USC653]
TITLE 28--JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
PART III--COURT OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
CHAPTER 44--ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Sec. 653. Neutrals
(a) Panel of Neutrals.--Each district court that authorizes the use
of alternative dispute resolution processes shall adopt appropriate
processes for making neutrals available for use by the parties for each
category of process offered. Each district court shall promulgate its
own procedures and criteria for the selection of neutrals on its panels.
(b) Qualifications and Training.--Each person serving as a neutral
in an alternative dispute resolution process should be qualified and
trained to serve as a neutral in the appropriate alternative dispute
resolution process. For this purpose, the district court may use, among
others, magistrate judges who have been trained to serve as neutrals in
alternative dispute resolution processes, professional neutrals from the
private sector, and persons who have been trained to serve as neutrals
in alternative dispute resolution processes. Until such time as rules
are adopted under chapter 131 of this title relating to the
disqualification of neutrals, each district court shall issue rules
under section 2071(a) relating to the disqualification of neutrals
(including, where appropriate, disqualification under section 455 of
this title, other applicable law, and professional responsibility
standards).
(Added Pub. L. 100-702, title IX, Sec. 901(a), Nov. 19, 1988, 102 Stat.
4660; amended Pub. L. 105-315, Sec. 5, Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2995.)
Amendments
1998--Pub. L. 105-315 amended section generally, substituting
provisions relating to neutrals in alternative dispute resolution
process for provisions relating to powers of arbitrator and arbitration
hearing.
