12404. Additional Parties

(a) If a party is added to an arbitration after the Director sends the lists generated by the list selection algorithm to the parties, but before the ranked lists are due to the Director, the Director will send the lists to the newly added party, and for each arbitrator listed, a disclosure report containing employment history and other background information. The newly added party may rank and strike the arbitrators in accordance with Rules 12402(d) or 12403(c). If the Director receives the ranked lists from the newly added party within 20 days after the date upon which the Director sent the lists to the party, the Director will include the new party's lists when combining rankings under Rules 12402(e) or 12403(d). If the Director does not receive the list(s) within that time, the Director will proceed as though the party did not want to strike any arbitrator or have any preference among the listed arbitrators. Absent extraordinary circumstances, the Director will not grant a party’s request for an extension to complete the ranked lists that is filed after the deadline has elapsed.

(b) Once the ranked lists are due to the Director under Rules 12402(d)(3) or Rule 12403(c)(3), no party may amend a pleading to add a new party to the arbitration until a panel is appointed and grants a motion to add the party. Motions to add a party must be served on all parties. The party amending the pleading must serve the party to be added by first-class mail, overnight mail service, overnight delivery service, hand delivery, email or facsimile. Service by first-class mail or overnight mail service is accomplished on the date of mailing. Service by any other means is accomplished on the date of delivery. The party to be added may respond to the motion in accordance with Rule 12503 without waiving any rights or objections under the Code. The response may be filed with the Director and served on all other parties by first-class mail, overnight mail service, overnight delivery service, hand delivery, email or facsimile. If the panel grants the motion to add the party, the newly added party may not strike and rank the arbitrators, but may challenge an arbitrator for cause in accordance with Rule 12407.