(a) Before Panel Appointment
Except as provided in paragraph (c), a party may amend a pleading at any time before the panel has been appointed. Panel appointment occurs when the Director sends notice to the parties of the names of the arbitrators on the panel.
(1) To amend a statement of claim that has been filed but not yet served by the Director, the claimant must file the amended claim with the Director. The Director will then serve the Claim Notification Letter or amended statement of claim in accordance with Rules [12300] and [12301].
(2) To amend any other pleading, a party must serve the amended pleading on each party and file the amended pleading with the Director. If a pleading is amended to add a party to the arbitration, the party amending the pleading must serve the new party with the amended pleading and all documents previously served by any party, or sent to the parties by the Director, by first-class mail, overnight mail service, overnight delivery service, hand delivery, email or facsimile, and must file proof of service with the Director through the Party Portal except as provided in [Rule 12300](a)(2). The party amending the pleading must file the amended pleading with the Director through the Party Portal except as provided in [Rule 12300](a)(2).
(b) After Panel Appointment
Once a panel has been appointed, a party may amend a pleading:
(1) if the panel grants a motion to amend in accordance with [Rule 12503]. Motions to amend a pleading must include a copy of the proposed amended pleading. If the panel grants the motion to amend, the amended pleading does not need to be re-served on the other parties, the Director, or the panel, unless the panel determines otherwise; or
(2) if FINRA notifies a customer that a member or an associated person has become inactive as set forth in Rule 12202. The customer may amend a pleading within 60 days of receiving notice. The customer must serve the amended pleading on each party and file the amended pleading with the Director.
(c) Amendments to Add Parties
Once the ranked arbitrator lists are due to the Director under [Rule 12402](d) or [Rule 12403](c), a party may only amend a pleading to add a new party to the arbitration if:
(1) a panel has been appointed and the panel grants a motion to add the party. Motions to add a party after panel appointment must be served on all parties, including the party to be added. The party seeking to amend the pleading may serve the party to be added by first-class mail, overnight mail service, overnight delivery service, hand delivery, email or facsimile. Service by first-class mail or overnight mail service is accomplished on the date of mailing. Service by any other means is accomplished on the date of delivery. The party to be added may respond to the motion in accordance with [Rule 12503] without waiving any rights or objections under the Code. The response may be filed with the Director and served on all other parties by first-class mail, overnight mail service, overnight delivery service, hand delivery, email or facsimile; or
(2) FINRA notifies a customer that a member or an associated person has become inactive as set forth in Rule 12202. The customer may amend a pleading to add a new party to the arbitration within 60 days of receiving notice. The customer may serve the party to be added by first-class mail, overnight mail service, overnight delivery service, hand delivery, email or facsimile. Service by first-class mail or overnight mail service is accomplished on the date of mailing. Service by any other means is accomplished on the date of delivery. The customer must serve the amended pleading on each other party and file the amended pleading with the Director.
(d) Responding to an Amended Pleading
Any party may file a response to an amended pleading, provided the response is filed and served within 20 days of receipt of the amended pleading, unless the panel determines otherwise.
