[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 7 (Friday, January 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 1456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-562]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

Alternative Dispute Resolution

AGENCY: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

ACTION: Notice of adoption of policy statement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FDIC has adopted a Statement of Policy to further its 
commitment to the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution for resolving 
appropriate disputes in a timely and cost efficient manner and to 
comply with the spirit of the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act of 
1996.

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 11, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martha W. McClellan, Counsel (202) 
736-0512, Legal Division, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 550 
17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20429.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board of Directors of the FDIC has 
modified its Statement of Policy on Alternative Dispute Resolution to 
reflect technical adjustments necessary in light of the reenactment of 
the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act (Pub. L. 104-320), and to 
reflect recent FDIC administrative and organizational changes. The text 
of the revised Policy Statement follows:

Statement of Policy on Alternative Dispute Resolution

    The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has been and 
continues to be committed to the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution 
(ADR) for resolving appropriate disputes in a more timely, less costly 
manner than litigation or administrative adjudication. The FDIC hereby 
adopts this policy to reiterate its commitment to ADR, to express its 
full support for ADR and to set forth a framework for the continuing 
and expanding use of ADR. The Corporation views ADR not as an end in 
itself, but rather, as an additional tool to accomplish its business 
efficiently, economically and productively. To that end, the FDIC 
believes that its ADR policy should be dynamic and continually 
developing.
    The FDIC fully supports the cost-effective use of ADR, including 
negotiation, mediation, early neutral evaluation, neutral expert fact-
finding, mini-trials and other hybrid forms of ADR in appropriate 
instances. The purpose of this policy is to use ADR in appropriate 
instances to resolve disputes at the earliest stage possible, by the 
fastest and least expensive method possible and at the lowest possible 
organizational level consistent with applicable delegation of 
authority.
    The Senior Deputy Director (Division of Resolutions and 
Receiverships) serves as the Dispute Resolution Specialist for the 
Corporation. In addition, an ADR Steering Committee, composed of the 
Dispute Resolution Specialist (or his/her designee) and representatives 
from each Division and Office, was established by the Board of 
Directors in 1994 to coordinate and encourage appropriate and cost-
effective conflict management practices in all aspects of FDIC 
operations and programs. The Dispute Resolution Specialist, working 
with the ADR Steering Committee, shall report to the Board of Directors 
on an annual basis regarding the Corporation's ADR efforts, 
implementation of this policy, and any revisions or actions necessary.
    It is the responsibility of all FDIC employees to implement this 
policy and to practice and promote cost-effective dispute resolution in 
FDIC programs and other areas of Corporation operation. All management 
and employees of the FDIC are hereby directed to take the necessary 
steps to implement this policy and to cooperate to the fullest extend 
with the ADR Steering Committee and the Dispute Resolution Specialist 
(and his/her designee) to promote effective and appropriate use of ADR 
at the Corporation in furtherance of this policy.
    The FDIC welcomes and encourages input on the use of ADR and 
comment on current and potential uses of ADR from both within and 
outside the Corporation.

    By order of the Board of Directors.

    Dated at Washington, DC, the 11th day of December, 1996.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Jerry L. Langley,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-562 Filed 1-9-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6714-01-M