
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 28USC655]

 
               TITLE 28--JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
 
                 PART III--COURT OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
 
               CHAPTER 44--ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
 
Sec. 655. Arbitrators

    (a) Powers of Arbitrators.--An arbitrator to whom an action is 
referred under section 654 shall have the power, within the judicial 
district of the district court which referred the action to 
arbitration--
        (1) to conduct arbitration hearings;
        (2) to administer oaths and affirmations; and
        (3) to make awards.

    (b) Standards for Certification.--Each district court that 
authorizes arbitration shall establish standards for the certification 
of arbitrators and shall certify arbitrators to perform services in 
accordance with such standards and this chapter. The standards shall 
include provisions requiring that any arbitrator--
        (1) shall take the oath or affirmation described in section 453; 
    and
        (2) shall be subject to the disqualification rules under section 
    455.

    (c) Immunity.--All individuals serving as arbitrators in an 
alternative dispute resolution program under this chapter are performing 
quasi-judicial functions and are entitled to the immunities and 
protections that the law accords to persons serving in such capacity.

(Added Pub. L. 100-702, title IX, Sec. 901(a), Nov. 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 
4661; amended Pub. L. 105-315, Sec. 7, Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2996.)


                               Amendments

    1998--Pub. L. 105-315 amended section generally, substituting 
provisions relating to arbitrators for provisions relating to trial de 
novo.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 651, 652 of this title.
