Opinion ID: 2533812
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Standards 7 and 8 disclosure

Text: Standard 7 sets forth in considerable detail the matters that must be disclosed by a person nominated or appointed as an arbitrator. (Cal. Stds., std. 7, subd. (a).) Standard 8 lists additional matters that an arbitrator must disclose in a consumer arbitration [6] administered by a provider organization. Among other things, the arbitrator must disclose relationships between the provider organization and any of the parties or lawyers in the arbitration. By comparison, the NASD Code contains a relatively concise description of matters that must be disclosed: Each arbitrator shall be required to disclose to the Director of Arbitration any circumstances which might preclude such arbitrator from rendering an objective and impartial determination. Each arbitrator shall disclose: [¶] (1) Any direct or indirect financial or personal interest in the outcome of the arbitration; [¶] (2) Any existing or past financial, business, professional, family, social, or other relationships or circumstances that are likely to affect impartiality or might reasonably create an appearance of partiality or bias. Persons requested to serve as arbitrators must disclose any such relationships or circumstances that they have with any party or its counsel, or with any individual whom [ sic ] they have been told will be a witness. They must also disclose any such relationship or circumstances involving members of their families or their current employers, partners, or business associates. (NASD Code, rule 10312(a).) The NASD Code further provides that arbitrators must make a reasonable effort to inform themselves of any interests, relationships or circumstances that should be disclosed, and that after appointment they have a continuing duty ... to disclose, at any stage of the arbitration, any such interests, relationships, or circumstances that arise, or are recalled or discovered. ( Id., rule 10312(b), (c).) Finally, the Director of Arbitration must advise the parties of any information disclosed by an arbitrator, unless the arbitrator voluntarily withdraws or the director removes the arbitrator. ( Id., rule 10312(e).)