FINRA Announces Explained Award Rule

Effective April 13, 2009, FINRA will require arbitrators to provide an explained decision at the parties' joint request. An explained decision is a fact-based award stating the general reasons for the arbitrators' decision. Parties will be required to submit any joint request for an explained decision at least 20 days before the first scheduled hearing date. The chairperson of the arbitration panel will write the explained decision and will receive an additional honorarium of $400 for doing so.  Regulatory Notice 09-16