---
kind: "range"
citation: "28 U.S.C. §§ 654–658"
title: "28"
from: "654"
to: "658"
count: 5
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/28/654..658"
---

# §654. Arbitration

- (a) **Referral of Actions to Arbitration.—** Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary and except as provided in subsections [(a)](/usc/28/652.md?p=a), [(b)](/usc/28/652.md?p=b), and [(c)](/usc/28/652.md?p=c) of section 652 and [subsection (d)](#d) of this section, a [district court](/usc/28/451.md) may allow the referral to arbitration of any civil action (including any adversary proceeding in bankruptcy) pending before it when the parties consent, except that referral to arbitration may not be made where—
  - (1) the action is based on an alleged violation of a right secured by the Constitution of the United States;
  - (2) jurisdiction is based in whole or in part on [section 1343 of this title](/usc/28/1343.md); or
  - (3) the relief sought consists of money damages in an amount greater than $150,000.
- (b) **Safeguards in Consent Cases.—** Until such time as rules are adopted under [chapter 131](/usc/28/chptV-ch131.md) of this title relating to procedures described in this subsection, the [district court](/usc/28/451.md) shall, by local rule adopted under [section 2071(a)](/usc/28/2071.md?p=a), establish procedures to ensure that any civil action in which arbitration by consent is allowed under [subsection (a)](#a)—
  - (1) consent to arbitration is freely and knowingly obtained; and
  - (2) no party or attorney is prejudiced for refusing to participate in arbitration.
- (c) **Presumptions.—** For purposes of [subsection (a)(3)](#a-3), a [district court](/usc/28/451.md) may presume damages are not in excess of $150,000 unless counsel certifies that damages exceed such amount.
- (d) **Existing Programs.—** Nothing in this chapter is deemed to affect any program in which arbitration is conducted pursuant to section[^1] title IX of the Judicial Improvements and Access to Justice Act (Public Law 100–702), as amended by section 1 of Public Law 105–53.

# §655. Arbitrators

- (a) **Powers of Arbitrators.—** An arbitrator to whom an action is referred under [section 654](/usc/28/654.md) shall have the power, within the [judicial district](/usc/28/451.md) of the [district court](/usc/28/451.md) 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](/usc/28/451.md) 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](/usc/28/453.md); and
  - (2) shall be subject to the disqualification rules under [section 455](/usc/28/455.md).
- (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.

# §656. Subpoenas


[Rule 45](/usc/28a/civil-45.md) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (relating to subpoenas) applies to subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence at an arbitration hearing under this chapter.


# §657. Arbitration award and judgment

- (a) **Filing and Effect of Arbitration Award.—** An arbitration award made by an arbitrator under this chapter, along with proof of service of such award on the other party by the prevailing party or by the plaintiff, shall be filed promptly after the arbitration hearing is concluded with the clerk of the [district court](/usc/28/451.md) that referred the case to arbitration. Such award shall be entered as the judgment of the court after the time has expired for requesting a trial de novo. The judgment so entered shall be subject to the same provisions of law and shall have the same force and effect as a judgment of the court in a civil action, except that the judgment shall not be subject to review in any other court by appeal or otherwise.
- (b) **Sealing of Arbitration Award.—** The [district court](/usc/28/451.md) shall provide, by local rule adopted under [section 2071(a)](/usc/28/2071.md?p=a), that the contents of any arbitration award made under this chapter shall not be made known to any judge who might be assigned to the case until the [district court](/usc/28/451.md) has entered final judgment in the action or the action has otherwise terminated.
- (c) **Trial de Novo of Arbitration Awards.—**
  - (1) **Time for filing demand.—** Within 30 days after the filing of an arbitration award with a [district court](/usc/28/451.md) under [subsection (a)](#a), any party may file a written demand for a trial de novo in the [district court](/usc/28/451.md).
  - (2) **Action restored to court docket.—** Upon a demand for a trial de novo, the action shall be restored to the docket of the court and treated for all purposes as if it had not been referred to arbitration.
  - (3) **Exclusion of evidence of arbitration.—** The court shall not admit at the trial de novo any evidence that there has been an arbitration proceeding, the nature or amount of any award, or any other matter concerning the conduct of the arbitration proceeding, unless—
    - (A) the evidence would otherwise be admissible in the court under the Federal Rules of Evidence; or
    - (B) the parties have otherwise stipulated.

# §658. Compensation of arbitrators and neutrals

- (a) **Compensation.—** The [district court](/usc/28/451.md) shall, subject to regulations approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States, establish the amount of compensation, if any, that each arbitrator or neutral shall receive for services rendered in each case under this chapter.
- (b) **Transportation Allowances.—** Under regulations prescribed by the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, a [district court](/usc/28/451.md) may reimburse arbitrators and other neutrals for actual transportation expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of duties under this chapter.