(a) Interested FINRA Staff
Except as counsel or a witness in a proceeding or as provided in the
Rule 9550 Series, Interested FINRA Staff is prohibited from advising an Adjudicator regarding a decision or otherwise participating in a decision of an Adjudicator. An Adjudicator is prohibited from advising Interested FINRA Staff regarding a decision or otherwise participating in a decision of Interested FINRA Staff, including the decision to issue a complaint and a decision whether to appeal or cross-appeal a disciplinary proceeding to the National Adjudicatory Council.
(b) Separation of Adjudicators
A Hearing Officer, including the Chief Hearing Officer, or a Panelist of a Hearing Panel or an Extended Hearing Panel, is prohibited from participating in: a decision whether to issue a complaint pursuant to
Rule 9211; a decision whether to appeal or cross-appeal a disciplinary proceeding to the National Adjudicatory Council pursuant to
Rule 9311; and a discussion or decision relating to a call for review, a review, or an appeal pursuant to the
Rule 9300 Series. Except if the Chair of the National Adjudicatory Council is also a Governor, a Governor is prohibited from participating in a discussion or a decision relating to the above referenced acts with the Review Subcommittee or the Adjudicators referenced above.
(c) Waiver of Prohibitions of Separation of Functions
(1) Offer of Settlement
If a Respondent submits an offer of settlement under
Rule 9270, the submission constitutes a waiver by such Respondent of any claim of violation of paragraph (a) or (b) by a person or body in connection with such person's or body's participation in discussions regarding the terms and conditions of the offer of settlement and the order of acceptance, or other consideration of the offer of settlement and order of acceptance, including acceptance or rejection of such offer of settlement and order of acceptance.
(2) Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent
If a member or a person associated with a member submits an executed letter of acceptance, waiver, and consent under
Rule 9216(a), the submission constitutes a waiver by such member or person associated with a member of any claim of violation of paragraph (a) or (b) by a person or body in connection with such person's or body's participation in discussions regarding the terms and conditions of the letter of acceptance, waiver, and consent, or other consideration of the proposed letter of acceptance, waiver, and consent, including acceptance or rejection of such letter of acceptance, waiver, and consent.
(3) Minor Rule Violation Plan Letter
If a member or a person associated with a member submits an executed minor rule violation plan letter under
Rule 9216(b), the submission constitutes a waiver by such member or person associated with a member of any claim of violation of paragraph (a) or (b) by a person or body in connection with such person's or body's participation in discussions regarding the terms and conditions of the minor rule violation plan letter or other consideration of the minor rule violation plan letter, including acceptance or rejection of such minor rule violation plan letter.
