13309. Amending Pleadings

(a) Before Panel Appointment

Except as provided in paragraph (c), a party may amend a pleading at any time before the panel has been appointed. Panel appointment occurs when the Director sends notice to the parties of the names of the arbitrators on the panel.

(b) After Panel Appointment

Once a panel has been appointed, a party may only amend a pleading if the panel grants a motion to amend in accordance with Rule 13503. Motions to amend a pleading must include a copy of the proposed amended pleading. If the panel grants the motion to amend, the amended pleading does not need to be re-served on the other parties, the Director, or the panel, unless the panel determines otherwise.

(c) Amendments to Add Parties

Once the ranked arbitrator lists are due to the Director under Rule 13404(d), no party may amend a pleading to add a new party to the arbitration until a panel has been appointed and the panel grants a motion to add the party. Motions to add a party after panel appointment must be served on all parties, including the party to be added. The party seeking to amend the pleading may 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 13503 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.

(d) Responding to an Amended Pleading

Any party may file a response to an amended pleading, provided the response is filed and served within 20 days of receipt of the amended pleading, unless the panel determines otherwise.