D.C. Code § 16-5610: Party participation.

(a)

A party may:

(1)

Be represented in an arbitration by an attorney;

(2)

Be accompanied by an individual who will not be called as a witness or act as an advocate; and

(3)

Participate in the arbitration to the full extent permitted under the law and procedural rules of the District other than this chapter governing a party's participation in contractual arbitration.

(b)

A party or representative of a party may not communicate ex parte with the arbitrator except to the extent allowed in a family law proceeding for communication with a judge.