28 U.S.C. § 654: Arbitration

the action is based on an alleged violation of a right secured by the Constitution of the United States; jurisdiction is based in whole or in part on section 1343 of this title ; or the relief sought consists of money damages in an amount greater than $150,000. consent to arbitration is freely and knowingly obtained; and no party or attorney is prejudiced for refusing to participate in arbitration. For purposes of subsection (a)(3), a district court may presume damages are not in excess of $150,000 unless counsel certifies that damages exceed such amount. Nothing in this chapter is deemed to affect any program in which arbitration is conducted pursuant to section 1 title IX of the Judicial Improvements and Access to Justice Act ( 1 So in original. The word “section” probably should not appear. Public Law 100–702 ), as amended by section 1 of Public Law 105–53 .