§575. Authorization of arbitration

(a)(1) Arbitration may be used as an alternative means of dispute resolution whenever all parties consent. Consent may be obtained either before or after an issue in controversy has arisen. A party may agree to-

(A) submit only certain issues in controversy to arbitration; or

(B) arbitration on the condition that the award must be within a range of possible outcomes.

(2) Any arbitration agreement that sets forth the subject matter submitted to the arbitrator shall be in writing.

(3) An agency may not require any person to consent to arbitration as a condition of entering into a contract or obtaining a benefit.

(b) An officer or employee of an agency may offer to use arbitration for the resolution of issues in controversy, if such officer or employee-

(1) has authority to enter into a settlement concerning the matter; or

(2) is otherwise specifically authorized by the agency to consent to the use of arbitration.

(Added Pub. L. 101–552, §4(b), Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2742 , §585; renumbered §575, Pub. L. 102–354, §3(b)(2), Aug. 26, 1992, 106 Stat. 944 .)

Termination of Section

For termination of section by section 11 of Pub. L. 101–552, see Termination Date; Savings Provision note set out under section 571 of this title.

Codification

Section 575 of former Title 5, Executive Departments and Government Officers and Employees, was transferred to section 2259 of Title 7, Agriculture.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 575 was renumbered section 595 of this title.

Amendments

1992-Pub. L. 102–354 renumbered section 585 of this title as this section.