Resource Guide for Virtual Hearings

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Getting Started

What You Need

  1. A PC, laptop, or large tablet (with built-in camera and microphone):
    1. If available, a large screen is better, particularly for hearings with many participants.
    2. If a PC, laptop, or large tablet is unavailable, a smart phone may be used in some circumstances (noting that the screen is smaller and not optimal).
  2. Notepad and pen, as the screen you are using to participate in the virtual hearing may not be available for other purposes, such as taking notes or viewing documents through the DR Portal.
  3. A high-speed internet connection. If available, a hard-wired internet connection is preferable to a wireless internet connection.
  4. A quiet, private location and neutral background. See Effective Practices for more information.
  5. If available:
    1. Dual monitors (or a single monitor and a laptop screen). This allows the virtual hearing to appear on one screen, while the other can be used for other purposes, such as viewing documents through the DR Portal or taking notes.
    2. A good quality webcam.

Additional Considerations for Virtual Hearings (Pre-Hearing Conference or Evidentiary Hearing)

Additional considerations that the Panel should be aware of when proceeding with virtual hearings include:

Fairness and Impartiality

  1. The platform must allow parties to present evidence and testimony, including direct and cross-examination of witnesses.
  2. All persons must be clearly identified before the virtual hearing begins. See Witnesses for more information.
  3. Any relevant documents must be clearly identified, disclosed and provided to the Panel.
  4. The Panel must postpone the virtual hearing until further notice if the Panel believes the virtual hearing will result in unfairness to any party.

Additional considerations that the Panel and the parties should be aware of include:

Confidentiality and Security

FINRA has taken additional measures related to the security of virtual hearings held via Zoom. See FINRA's Security Considerations for more information.

In addition to FINRA's security measures, the Panel should:

  1. Require that only the parties, party representatives, witnesses, and any other relevant individuals to the proceeding be permitted to participate in the virtual hearing.
  2. Discourage the use of virtual backgrounds so that the Panel can clearly see the videoconference location and ensure that there are no unauthorized attendees.
  3. Prohibit the recording of the virtual hearing (other than the official FINRA recording by the Host).

Technology Challenges

The seamless running of technology is vital to the success of a virtual hearing. Power outages and internet disconnections can limit the effectiveness of the videoconferencing platform. Accordingly, the Panel should have contingencies in place in the event the primary platform fails or otherwise becomes impractical to use. For example, if disconnected, a participant may dial-in to the hearing by telephone so that the parties and panel can discuss whether the hearing can proceed or should be postponed.

Preparing for the Virtual Hearing

FINRA Dispute Resolution Services provides training to neutrals on using Zoom and videoconferencing effective practices. See Effective Practices for more information.

Upon request, FINRA Dispute Resolution Services will set up a Zoom "trial run" with the Panel to test the Panel's equipment, familiarize the Panel with the Zoom platform and ensure that the Panel understands the following functions:

  • Overall Display
  • Control Panel
  • Participant List
  • Muting/Unmuting
  • Share Screen
  • Passing Control
  • Inviting a Participant
  • Waiting Room/Breakout Rooms
  • Locking the Hearing

During a "trial run," FINRA Dispute Resolution Services will:

  1. Troubleshoot and assist to resolve any technical issues with the arbitrators' equipment.
  2. Check the arbitrators' background and lighting conditions to ensure that they are appropriate for the virtual proceeding.
  3. Discuss the responsibilities for hosting/co-hosting and recording.

Upon request, FINRA Dispute Resolution Services can also set up a Zoom "trial run" with the parties or party representatives in advance of the virtual hearing. Please note, however, that each party is responsible for setting up any "trial run" needed for its witnesses.

Note to the Chairperson

Prior to the virtual hearing, the Chairperson may want to request that the parties provide a Virtual Hearing Participant List so that, on the day of the hearing, the Chairperson can ensure that only authorized individuals are admitted into the videoconference. The Virtual Hearing Participant List would provide the name, email address and phone number for each participant and would be submitted in addition to the witness list (which is required under Rules 12514(b)/13514(b) of the Codes of Arbitration Procedure ("Codes")).

Commencing the Virtual Hearing

  1. Prior to the commencement of the hearing:
    1. All participants should arrive 5-10 minutes early.
    2. A FINRA staff member will be the Host for the meeting, unless the Panel designates an arbitrator as the Host (see paragraph (c) below). The Host has access to additional functions such as recording and managing participants, the breakout rooms, and the waiting room.
    3. If an arbitrator is comfortable with running the virtual hearing and wishes to do so, the Panel may designate that arbitrator as the Host. The Host function can only be retained by a FINRA staff member or an arbitrator. 
  2. If an arbitrator chooses to retain the Host function, a FINRA staff member will be available during the virtual hearing for technical support. See Technical Support for more information.  
  3. At the commencement of the virtual hearing:
    1. The Host will verify the participants as they are admitted into the videoconference and, as necessary, will set up breakout rooms (e.g., for executive sessions and for each represented party).
    2. The Host will start the recording.

Chairperson's Opening

The Chairperson should add the following to his or her opening remarks:

  1. Ask each participant to affirm that:
    1. No unauthorized individuals are present in each participant's videoconferencing location. The Chairperson may require participants to scan their videoconference locations with the camera to show that there are no unauthorized individuals in the room.
    2. No one will record this virtual hearing (or any part of it) other than the official FINRA recording (per Rules 12606/13606 of the Codes), as controlled by the Host.
  2. Advise that participants can share documents (e.g., exhibits) using the Share Screen feature, but that all documents must still be provided to the Panel.
  3. Advise the panel and parties to avoid sharing personal confidential information, unless such sharing is necessary for the proceedings.
  4. Create a back-up plan if a participant's power or internet is disconnected. For example, if disconnected, a participant may dial-in to the hearing by telephone so that the parties and panel can discuss whether the hearing can proceed or should be postponed.

Recording the Virtual Hearing

FINRA records virtual pre-hearing conferences as required by Rules 12502/13502, 12504(a)(5)/13504(a)(5), and 12206(b)(4)/13206(b)(4) of the Codes. Accordingly, all motion to dismiss pre-hearing conferences are recorded and other pre-hearing conferences are recorded upon the panel’s request. 

FINRA records virtual evidentiary and expungement hearings as required by Rules 12606/13606 and 12805/13805 of the Codes. Only the audio portion of the virtual hearing is recorded and retained for the case file.

Accordingly, the audio recording is the official FINRA recording under Rules 12606/13606 of the Codes. FINRA retains the audio recording of any virtual hearings in accordance with FINRA's record retention obligations.

Upon the commencement of the virtual hearing, the Host will start the recording. There will be a clear announcement that the meeting is being recorded.

During the Virtual Hearing

Participant Etiquette

For the early part of the hearing, the Panel should ask that participants state their names before speaking so other participants can easily identify the speaker.

Breaks

Virtual hearings can be tiring. The Panel may want to consider allowing two short breaks in the morning and two short breaks in the afternoon.

Host Responsibilities

During the virtual hearing, the Host will:

  1. Watch for participants who may be disconnected from the videoconference.
  2. Monitor the waiting room.
  3. Manage the virtual hearing by utilizing some of the following key features:
    1. Share Screen – allows the Panel and parties to share documents (e.g., exhibits). Participants can also annotate documents if required (particularly helpful for witnesses).
    2. Breakout rooms - for executive sessions with the Panel or to allow party representatives to convene with their clients.
  4. Be aware of anyone who may need to join (e.g., witnesses) so that they may be admitted from the waiting room.

Witnesses

  1. The Panel should advise party representatives to call their witnesses prior to the time that they need to testify so that they can be joined to the videoconference. The Host will need to allow the witness entry.
  2. The Panel may ask the witness to pan the room with the camera to show that no one else is present in the room.

Technical Support

A FINRA staff member will be available during the virtual hearing to:

  1. Control entry of the participants to the proceeding.
  2. Facilitate the use of breakout rooms where required.
  3. Troubleshoot any technical issues.

FINRA Dispute Resolution Services has trained staff to utilize the Zoom videoconferencing platform and has purchased Zoom Pro licenses for use in virtual hearings.

Effective Practices

All participants should keep in mind the following effective practices for a successful virtual hearing:

Location and Background

  1. Ensure your location is well-lit. Backlighting is not desirable.
  2. Ensure that you have a neutral background to minimize distractions.

Audio Considerations

  1. Ensure your location is quiet.
  2. Mute your microphone when not speaking. This will avoid any background noise like construction, lawnmowers, barking dogs, televisions, etc. Be sure to turn your microphone back on before speaking.
  3. If not muted, take notes quietly. If necessary, use pen and paper as opposed to using a keyboard.
  4. Mute all other devices (e.g., cellphones or iPads).

Minimize Distractions

  1. Position your camera at eye level. When a camera is angled too high or too low, it can be distracting. Also, ensure your computer is on a flat surface.
  2. Turn off any pop-up computer notifications (e.g., emails) to prevent these from distracting you during the virtual hearing. This will also prevent notifications from appearing in the event you use the Share Screen function.
  3. Close all windows other than Zoom, the DR Portal and any case-related documents – this helps with bandwidth and minimizes confusion/distraction.
  4. Avoid multitasking. Do not check your cell phone or emails during the hearing.

Dress and Etiquette

  1. Always look professional and dress as if you are meeting in-person.
  2. Remain visible on camera to the parties during the virtual hearing. Don't walk around while on camera. If you need to leave the room or turn off your camera, please announce it as you would if you were in-person.
  3. Do not eat during the virtual hearing. Ensure that enough breaks are provided accordingly.
  4. Special Note to Arbitrators
    1. Be conscious of your body language.
    2. Despite being virtual, the parties are still watching your engagement.

FINRA's Security Considerations

FINRA implements the following security measures for all arbitrations and mediations utilizing Zoom:

  • A unique, randomly-generated meeting ID;
  • A meeting password to be admitted to the meeting; and
  • Use of the "waiting room feature" to ensure that only invited participants are admitted to the meeting. 

In addition, FINRA-administered meetings are restricted to Zoom’s US data centers.

For additional information on how Zoom maintains the security of its service, visit Zoom's Privacy and Security Page or consult Zoom’s Best Practices for Securing Your Zoom Meetings or Zoom's Security Whitepaper.

Technical Support and Training Resources

If you have further questions, you can contact your FINRA Case Administrator.

In addition, Zoom has some resources you may find helpful:

There are a number of topic-specific tutorials on Zoom's website; the following are recommended for virtual hearings:

Zoom Meetings

  • Joining a Meeting
  • In-Meeting Navigation
  • Screen Sharing
  • Audio and Video Basics

Disclaimers

FINRA notes that virtual hearings are conducted through Zoom, which is a third-party platform. The use of this platform for virtual hearings is subject to Zoom's terms and policies, for example: https://zoom.us/privacy-and-legal. FINRA arranges virtual hearings through Zoom for the Panel's and parties' convenience. FINRA does not endorse any one platform over another nor does FINRA guarantee the suitability or availability of any platform. Any concerns regarding the use of a third-party videoconferencing platform should be raised by copying correspondence to all parties in the case.