1109.1—Invoking ADR in Board proceedings.

Any proceeding may be held in abeyance for 90 days while administrative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures (such as arbitration and mediation) are pursued. (Additional 90 day periods can be requested.) The period while any proceeding is held in abeyance to facilitate ADR will not be counted towards the statutory deadlines. All parties are required to indicate their written consent for ADR treatment. Requests that a proceeding be held in abeyance while ADR procedures are pursued should be submitted to the Chief, Section of Administration, Office of Proceedings. The Director of the Office of Proceedings shall promptly issue an order in response to such requests. Unless arbitration or some other binding process involving a neutral has been undertaken, any party believing that ADR procedures are not yielding the intended results shall inform the Chief, Section of Administration, Office of Proceedings and all parties in writing, and normal agency procedures will be reactivated by the Director of the Office of Proceedings by notice served on all the parties.
[74 FR 52907, Oct. 15, 2009]