This rule is no longer applicable. NASD
Rule 9556 has been superseded by FINRA Rule 9556. Please consult the appropriate FINRA Rule.
(Rule 9556, and amendments adopted by SR-NASD-98-80 to Rule 8310, IM-8310-3(c)(1) (formerly IM-8310-2(d)(1), renumbered by SR-NASD-2003-168), 9120(x), 9241(c), 9290, 9311(b), 9312(b), 9360 and the Rule 9800 Series, shall expire on June 23, 2009, unless extended or permanently adopted by the Association pursuant to SEC approval at or before such date.)
(a) Notice of Suspension, Cancellation or Bar
If a member, person associated with a member or person subject to NASD's jurisdiction fails to comply with a temporary or permanent cease and desist order issued under the Rule 9200, 9300 or 9800 Series, NASD staff-after receiving written authorization from NASD's Chairman and CEO or NASD's Senior Executive Vice President for Regulatory Policy and Programs—may issue a notice to such member or person stating that the failure to comply with the temporary or permanent cease and desist order within seven days of service of the notice will result in a suspension or cancellation of membership or a suspension or bar from associating with any member.
(b) Service of Notice
NASD staff shall serve the member or person subject to a notice issued under this Rule by facsimile, overnight courier or personal delivery. Papers served on a member or person by overnight courier or personal delivery shall conform to paragraphs (a)(1) and (3) and (b)(1) and (2) of Rule 9134. Papers served on a member by facsimile shall be sent to the facsimile number listed in the member's contact questionnaire submitted to NASD pursuant to Article 4, Section III of NASD's By-Laws, except that, if NASD staff has actual knowledge that an entity's contact questionnaire facsimile number is out of date, duplicate copies shall be sent to the entity by overnight courier or personal delivery in conformity with paragraphs (a)(1) and (3) and (b)(2) of Rule 9134. Papers served on a person by facsimile shall be sent to the person's last known facsimile number and shall also be served by either overnight courier or personal delivery in conformity with paragraphs (a)(1) and (3) and (b)(1) of Rule 9134. A copy of a notice under this Rule that is served on a person associated with a member also shall be served on such member. Service is complete upon sending the notice by facsimile, mailing the notice by overnight courier or delivering it in person, except that, where duplicate service is required, service is complete upon sending the duplicate service.
(c) Contents of Notice
The notice shall explicitly identify the provision of the permanent or temporary cease and desist order that is alleged to have been violated and shall contain a statement of facts specifying the alleged violation. The notice shall state when the NASD action will take effect and explain what the respondent must do to avoid such action. The notice shall state that the respondent may file a written request for a hearing with the Office of Hearing Officers pursuant to Rule 9559. The notice also shall inform the respondent of the applicable deadline for filing a request for a hearing and shall state that a request for a hearing must set forth with specificity any and all defenses to the NASD action. In addition, the notice shall explain that, pursuant to Rules 8310(a) and 9559(n), a Hearing Officer or, if applicable, Hearing Panel, may approve, modify or withdraw any and all sanctions or limitations imposed by the notice, and may impose any other fitting sanction.
(d) Effective Date of Suspension, Cancellation or Bar
The suspension, cancellation or bar referenced in a notice issued and served under this Rule shall become effective seven days after service of the notice, unless stayed by a request for a hearing pursuant to Rule 9559.
(e) Request for a Hearing
A member served with a notice under this Rule may file with the Office of Hearing Officers a written request for a hearing pursuant to Rule 9559. A request for a hearing shall be made before the effective date of the notice, as indicated in paragraph (d) of this Rule. A request for a hearing must set forth with specificity any and all defenses to the NASD action.
(f) Failure to Request Hearing
If a member or person does not timely request a hearing, the suspension, cancellation or bar specified in the notice shall become effective seven days after the service of the notice and the notice shall constitute final NASD action.
(g) Request for Termination of the Suspension
A member or person subject to a suspension under this Rule may file a written request for termination of the suspension on the ground of full compliance with the notice or decision. Such request shall be filed with the head of the NASD department or office that issued the notice or, if another NASD department or office is named as the party handling the matter on behalf of the issuing department or office, with the head of the NASD department or office that is so designated. The appropriate head of the department or office may grant relief for good cause shown.
(h) Notice to Membership
NASD shall provide notice of any final NASD action taken pursuant to this Rule in the next Notice to Members Disciplinary and Other NASD Action Section.
