D.C. Code § 16-5613: Powers and duties of arbitrator.

(a)

An arbitrator shall conduct an arbitration in a manner the arbitrator considers appropriate for a fair and expeditious disposition of the dispute.

(b)

An arbitrator shall provide each party a right to be heard, to present evidence material to the family law dispute, and to cross-examine witnesses.

(c)

Unless the parties otherwise agree in a record, an arbitrator's powers include the power to:

(1)

Select the rules for conducting the arbitration;

(2)

Hold conferences with the parties before a hearing;

(3)

Determine the date, time, and place of a hearing;

(4)

Require a party to provide:

(A)

A copy of a relevant court order;

(B)

Information required to be disclosed in a family law proceeding under law of the District other than this chapter; and

(C)

A proposed award that addresses each issue in arbitration;

(5)

Meet with or interview a child who is the subject of a child-related dispute;

(6)

Appoint a private expert at the expense of the parties;

(7)

Administer an oath or affirmation and issue a subpoena for the attendance of a witness or the production of documents and other evidence at a hearing;

(8)

Compel discovery concerning the family law dispute and determine the date, time, and place of discovery;

(9)

Determine the admissibility and weight of evidence;

(10)

Permit deposition of a witness for use as evidence at a hearing;

(11)

For good cause, prohibit a party from disclosing information;

(12)

Appoint an attorney, guardian ad litem, or other representative for a child at the expense of the parties;

(13)

Impose a procedure to protect a party or child from risk of harm, harassment, or intimidation;

(14)

Allocate arbitration fees, attorney's fees, expert-witness fees, and other costs to the parties; and

(15)

Impose a sanction on a party for bad faith or misconduct during the arbitration according to standards governing imposition of a sanction for litigant misconduct in a family law proceeding.

(d)

An arbitrator may not allow ex parte communication except to the extent allowed in a family law proceeding for communication with a judge.