12406. Appointment of Arbitrators; Discretion to Appoint Arbitrators Not on List

(a) If the panel consists of one arbitrator, the Director will appoint the highest-ranked available arbitrator from the combined chairperson list.

(b) If the panel consists of three arbitrators, the Director will appoint:

(c) If the number of arbitrators available to serve from the combined list(s) is not sufficient to fill an initial panel, the Director will appoint one or more arbitrators of the required classification to complete the panel from names generated randomly by the Neutral List Selection System. If the Director must appoint a non-public arbitrator, the Director may not appoint a non-public arbitrator as defined in Rule 12100(p)(2) or (3), unless the parties agree otherwise. The Director will provide the parties information about the arbitrators as provided in Rule 12403 and the parties will have the right to challenge the arbitrators as provided in Rule 12410.

(d) Appointment of arbitrators occurs when the Director sends notice to the parties of the names of the arbitrators on the panel. Before making any decision as an arbitrator or attending a hearing session, the arbitrators must execute NASD's arbitrator oath or affirmation.