5 USC § 578 - Authority of the arbitrator

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t5/s578"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "5 USC § 578 - Authority of the arbitrator"
title_number: 5
title_name: "GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES"
section_number: "578"
section_name: "Authority of the arbitrator"
chapter_number: 5
chapter_name: "ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE"
subchapter_number: "IV"
subchapter_name: "ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS"
part_number: "I"
part_name: "THE AGENCIES GENERALLY"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 101–552, § 4(b), Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2742, § 588; renumbered § 578, Pub. L. 102–354, § 3(b)(2), Aug. 26, 1992, 106 Stat. 944.)"
---


# § 578. Authority of the arbitrator

An arbitrator to whom a dispute is referred under this subchapter may—

**(1)** regulate the course of and conduct arbitral hearings;

**(2)** administer oaths and affirmations;

**(3)** compel the attendance of witnesses and production of evidence at the hearing under the provisions of section 7 of title 9 only to the extent the agency involved is otherwise authorized by law to do so; and

**(4)** make awards.

---

**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 101–552, § 4(b), Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2742, § 588; renumbered § 578, Pub. L. 102–354, § 3(b)(2), Aug. 26, 1992, 106 Stat. 944.)

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1992— renumbered  as this section.