(a) General Requirement for Motions
A Party may make a written or oral motion, subject to limitations set forth below. A Party or other person may make a motion under [Rule 9146](k), subject to limitations set forth below.
(b) Adjudicator May Require a Written Motion
If a Party makes an oral motion, an Adjudicator may order that such motion be set forth in writing, after considering the facts and circumstances, including whether:
(1) the hearing or conference in which the Party makes such motion is being recorded; and
(2) the opposing Parties shall be fully informed and shall have adequate notice and opportunity to respond to such motion.
(c) Specificity
All motions shall state the specific relief requested and the basis therefor.
(d) Time For Filing Opposition or Other Response to Motion
Unless otherwise ordered by an Adjudicator, any Party may file an opposition or other response to a written motion and the opposition or response shall be filed within 14 days after service of the motion. If no response is filed within the response period, the Party failing to respond shall be deemed to have waived any objection to the granting of the motion. A Party shall be afforded an opportunity to respond to an oral motion at the time the oral motion is made, unless the Adjudicator orders that the Party shall be granted additional time to respond.
(e) Oral Argument
An Adjudicator may allow oral argument on motions. Oral argument may take place in person or by telephone.
(f) Frivolous Motions
An Adjudicator may deny dilatory, repetitive, or frivolous motions without awaiting a response.
(g) No Stay
Unless otherwise ordered by an Adjudicator, the filing of a motion does not stay a proceeding.
(h) Reply
The moving Party shall have no right to reply to the opposition or other response of the other Parties unless an Adjudicator permits a reply to be filed. Unless otherwise ordered by an Adjudicator, a movant's reply submission shall be filed within five days after the Adjudicator serves the order granting the motion to file a reply or a Party serves the opposition or other response to which the Adjudicator previously ordered that a reply could be filed.
(i) Page Limit, Format Requirements
Unless otherwise ordered by an Adjudicator, submissions in support of or in opposition to motions shall not exceed ten double-spaced pages, including double-spaced footnotes, exclusive of pages containing any table of contents, table of authorities, or addenda.
(j) Disposition of Procedural Motions; Disposition of Motions for Summary Disposition
(1) In the [Rule 9200] Series, a motion on a procedural matter may be decided by a Hearing Officer. A motion for summary disposition of a cause of action set forth in a complaint shall be decided by a majority vote of the Hearing Panel or, if applicable, the Extended Hearing Panel.
(2) In the [Rule 9300] Series, a motion on a procedural matter may be decided by Counsel to the National Adjudicatory Council, the Review Subcommittee, a Subcommittee or, if applicable, an Extended Proceeding Committee, or the National Adjudicatory Council. A motion for disposition of a cause of action shall be decided by the National Adjudicatory Council, except that a motion to dismiss a case for abandonment made under [Rule 9344] may be decided by the Review Subcommittee.
(3) In the [Rule 9500] Series, a motion shall be decided by an Adjudicator, except that a procedural motion made pursuant to the [Rule 9520] Series or [Rule 9559](q)(3) may be decided by Counsel to the National Adjudicatory Council.
(k) Motion For Protective Order
(1) A Party, a person who is the owner, subject, or creator of a Document subject to production under [Rule 8210] or any other Rule which may be introduced as evidence in a disciplinary proceeding, or a witness who testifies at a hearing in a disciplinary proceeding may file a motion requesting a protective order to limit disclosure or prohibit from disclosure to other Parties, witnesses or other persons, except the Department of Enforcement and other FINRA staff, Documents or testimony that contain confidential information. The motion shall include a general summary or extract of the Documents or testimony without revealing confidential details. If the movant seeks a protective order against disclosure to other Parties, copies of the Documents shall not be served on the other Parties. Unless the Documents are unavailable, the movant shall file for in camera inspection a sealed copy of the Documents for which the order is sought. If the movant is not a Party, the motion shall be served on each Party by the movant using a method in [Rule 9134](a) and filed with the Adjudicator. A motion for a protective order shall be granted only upon a finding that disclosure of the Document or testimony would have a demonstrated adverse business effect on the movant or would involve an unreasonable breach of the movant's personal privacy.
(2) If a protective order is granted, the order shall set forth the restrictions on use and disclosure of such Document or testimony. An Adjudicator does not have the authority to issue a protective order that would limit in any manner the use by FINRA staff of such Documents or testimony in FINRA staff's performance of their regulatory and self-regulatory responsibilities and functions, including the transmittal, without restriction to the recipient, of such Documents or testimony to state, federal, or foreign regulatory authorities or other self-regulatory organizations. An Adjudicator does not have the authority to issue a protective order that purports to protect from production such Documents or testimony in the event that FINRA is subject to a subpoena requiring that the Documents or testimony be produced.
(l) General
All motions, oppositions or responses, replies, and any other filings made in a proceeding shall comply with Rules [9133], [9135], [9136] and [9137]. The Parties shall serve documents by electronic mail, unless an alternative method of service is ordered by the Adjudicator. Service by electronic mail shall be deemed complete upon sending of the document(s).
