Adjudication and Decisions
When FINRA determines that violations of securities rules have occurred and formal disciplinary action is necessary, the Enforcement Department or Market Regulation Department files a complaint with the Office of Hearing Officers (OHO).
The Office arranges a three-person panel to hear the case. The panel is chaired by a hearing officer who is an employee of the Office of Hearing Officers. The Chief Hearing Officer appoints two industry panelists, drawn primarily from a pool of current and former securities industry members of FINRA's District Committees, as well as its Market Regulation Committee, former members of FINRA's National Adjudicatory Council (NAC) and former FINRA Governors.
At the hearing, the parties present evidence for the panel to determine whether a firm or individual has engaged in conduct that violates FINRA rules, SEC regulations or federal securities laws. In reaching its decision, the hearing panel also considers previous court, SEC, and NAC decisions to determine if violations occurred. The NAC is the national committee which reviews initial decisions rendered in FINRA disciplinary and membership proceedings.
For each case, the hearing panel will issue a written decision explaining the reasons for its ruling and consult the FINRA Sanction Guidelines to determine the appropriate sanctions if violations have occurred. FINRA also, when feasible and appropriate, can order firms and individuals to make restitution to harmed customers.
Appeals Process
Under FINRA's disciplinary procedures, a firm or individual has the right to appeal a hearing panel decision to the NAC, or the NAC may on its own initiate a review of a decision. On appeal, the NAC will determine if a hearing panel's findings were legally correct, factually supported and consistent with FINRA's Sanction Guidelines. While a panel decision is on appeal, the sanction is not enforced against the firm or individual.
Unless FINRA's Board of Governors decides to review the NAC's appellate decision, that decision represents FINRA's final action. A firm or individual can appeal FINRA's decision to the SEC and then to federal court.
Date of Decision | Proceeding No. |
Title![]() |
Type |
---|---|---|---|
Oct 12, 2004 | CAF040056 | Order Rejecting Filing | Disciplinary Order |
Mar 1, 2000 | C05990026 | Order Rejecting Contested Offer of Settlement | Disciplinary Order |
Apr 30, 2003 | C3B020015 | Order Rejecting Contested Offer of Settlement | Disciplinary Order |
Mar 28, 2007 | CAF040079 | Order Regarding Witnesses | Disciplinary Order |
Oct 29, 2003 | CAF030008 | Order Regarding the Department's Motions in Limine | Disciplinary Order |
Feb 5, 1998 | CAF970002 | Order Regarding Severance | Disciplinary Order |
Oct 31, 2016 | 2014042524301 | Order Regarding Respondent’s Motions to Stay Case Management and Scheduling Order and to Strike and/or For a More Definite Statement. | Disciplinary Order |
Jun 1, 2011 | 2010021196801 | Order Regarding Respondent’s Motion to Stay | Disciplinary Order |
Apr 11, 2017 | 2014042524301 | Order Regarding Respondent’s Interrogatories, Requests for Production of Documents, and Requests for Admissions | Disciplinary Order |
Feb 24, 2005 | C3A040023 | Order Regarding Respondents' Pre-Hearing Submissions | Disciplinary Order |
Mar 26, 2000 | CAF980002 | Order Regarding Respondents' Motion to Preclude Designation of Transcripts; Respondents' Motion for a Protective Order; and Enforcement's Motion for Post-Hearing Submissions in Excess of Twenty-Five Pages | Disciplinary Order |
Mar 23, 2006 | E102003130804 | Order Regarding Respondent's Pre-Hearing Submissions | Disciplinary Order |
Feb 1, 2007 | E3A20050065 | Order Regarding Respondent's Pre-Hearing Submissions | Disciplinary Order |
Jul 18, 2000 | C10000046 | Order Regarding Respondent's Motion for Leave to File a Late Answer | Disciplinary Order |
Dec 29, 1997 | CAF970002 | Order Regarding Respondent Motion for an Extension of Time to Answer | Disciplinary Order |
Aug 9, 2007 | 2005000323905 | Order Regarding Respondent 2's Motions for Official Notice | Disciplinary Order |
Feb 17, 1998 | C9B970016 | Order Regarding Production Under Rule 9251 | Disciplinary Order |
Oct 4, 2001 | CAF000045 | Order Regarding Production of Documents | Disciplinary Order |
Mar 27, 2007 | 2005000440701 | Order Regarding Pre-Hearing Motions | Disciplinary Order |
Jun 27, 2007 | E102003025201 | Order Regarding Pre-Hearing Motions | Disciplinary Order |
Jul 20, 1998 | C10970141 | Order Regarding Pre-Hearing Conference | Disciplinary Order |
Aug 7, 2007 | CAF040079 | Order Regarding Post-Hearing Briefs | Disciplinary Order |
Jul 28, 2011 | 2008012925001 | Order Regarding Pending Motions and Pre-Hearing Issues | Disciplinary Order |
Dec 26, 1997 | CAF970001 | Order Regarding Motion to Strike Affirmative Defenses | Disciplinary Order |
Nov 13, 1997 | CAF970002 | Order Regarding Motion of Respondents Requesting an Extension of Time to Answer, a More Definite Answer, and an Updated Service List | Disciplinary Order |