As pandemic restrictions ease across the country, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has announced that it will reopen the majority of its hearing locations. As of July 5, 2021, most FINRA locations are open for in-person arbitration and mediation hearings (with a few exceptions). However, all sites will be fully open by August 2, 2021. If you are facing an upcoming FINRA arbitration, here’s what you need to know about this reopening announcement.
A Look Back at FINRA’s Virtual Arbitration Services
Like most services during the pandemic, FINRA pivoted to offering virtual arbitration and mediation services over Zoom. As of May 2021, FINRA held a total of 337 arbitration cases (123 customer cases and 214 industry cases) via Zoom. Additionally, FINRA received 733 motions for Zoom hearings during this same period. Of the 435 contested motions, 321 were customer contested (189 granted, 117 denied, 15 open), while 114 were intra-industry contested motions (78 granted, 29 denied, 7 open). Of the 298 joint motions, 107 were customer cases and 191 were industry cases.
What to Expect at a FINRA In-Person Arbitration Hearing
FINRA has made it clear that all of its hearing locations are committed to ensuring the safety of all participants. As the date of your arbitration hearing approaches, you’ll receive detailed information about the exact safety protocols the location has in place, such as the venue’s capacity, mask guidelines, travel guidelines, and any health certification requirements. While these measures are fairly standard, FINRA urges you to remain flexible, should any circumstances necessitate the postponement (or relocation to Zoom) of the in-person hearing.
Discuss Your Concerns With a Securities Law Attorney Today
Facing an upcoming FINRA arbitration hearing is stressful enough—the added pressures of pandemic restrictions can make this process even more difficult. Remember, you do not have to go through this challenging time on your own. Enlisting the support of a knowledgeable and experienced securities law attorney is the best way to ensure that you understand what to expect from the process. Your attorney will answer your questions, address your concerns, and represent your best interests at every stage of arbitration.
To learn more about how an experienced securities law attorney can help you navigate the FINRA arbitration process, call Judex Law LLC today at (303) 523-4022.
