FINRA Arbitration Response

FINRA ARBITRATION RESPONSE (ANSWER TO STATEMENT OF CLAIM)

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

PRELIMINARY CHECKLIST

Filing Deadline Calculation (FINRA Rule 12303)

☐ Date Statement of Claim received: [__/__/____]
☐ 45-day deadline calculated: [__/__/____]
☐ Extension requested: ☐ Yes ☐ No
☐ Extended deadline (if applicable): [__/__/____]

Required Components

☐ Signed Submission Agreement (Uniform Submission Agreement)
☐ Answer to Statement of Claim
☐ Filing fees paid (if counterclaims included)
☐ Copies for Director and each arbitrator
☐ Proof of service on all parties

FINRA DISPUTE RESOLUTION

ANSWER TO STATEMENT OF CLAIM

In the Matter of:

[________________________________]
Claimant(s),

v.

[________________________________]
Respondent(s).

FINRA Case No.: [________________________________]

SECTION 1: RESPONDENT INFORMATION

1.1 Respondent Identification

1.2 Respondent's Representative

☐ Respondent is represented by counsel
☐ Respondent is self-represented (pro se)

Attorney/Representative Information (if applicable):

SECTION 2: PRELIMINARY MATTERS

2.1 Acknowledgment of Service

Respondent acknowledges receipt of the Statement of Claim dated [__/__/____], served on [__/__/____] via:

☐ U.S. Mail
☐ Overnight Courier
☐ FINRA DR Portal
☐ Personal Service
☐ Other: [________________________________]

2.2 Jurisdictional Issues

☐ Respondent consents to FINRA arbitration jurisdiction
☐ Respondent contests FINRA jurisdiction on the following grounds:

[________________________________]

2.3 Hearing Location Preference

Respondent's preferred hearing location: [________________________________]

SECTION 3: RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS

3.1 General Denial or Admission

☐ Respondent denies all allegations except those specifically admitted herein
☐ Respondent admits all allegations
☐ Respondent responds to each allegation as set forth below

3.2 Specific Responses to Each Allegation

Paragraph 1 of Statement of Claim:
Summary: [________________________________]

☐ Admitted ☐ Denied ☐ Denied for lack of knowledge or information

Response: [________________________________]

Paragraph 2 of Statement of Claim:
Summary: [________________________________]

☐ Admitted ☐ Denied ☐ Denied for lack of knowledge or information

Response: [________________________________]

Paragraph 3 of Statement of Claim:
Summary: [________________________________]

☐ Admitted ☐ Denied ☐ Denied for lack of knowledge or information

Response: [________________________________]

Paragraph 4 of Statement of Claim:
Summary: [________________________________]

☐ Admitted ☐ Denied ☐ Denied for lack of knowledge or information

Response: [________________________________]

Paragraph 5 of Statement of Claim:
Summary: [________________________________]

☐ Admitted ☐ Denied ☐ Denied for lack of knowledge or information

Response: [________________________________]

(Continue for all paragraphs in the Statement of Claim)

SECTION 4: AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES

Respondent asserts the following affirmative defenses:

4.1 Statute of Limitations / Eligibility Rule

☐ The claims are barred by FINRA Rule 12206 (six-year eligibility rule)
☐ The claims are barred by applicable state statutes of limitations

Supporting facts: [________________________________]

4.2 Failure to State a Claim

☐ The Statement of Claim fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted

Supporting facts: [________________________________]

4.3 Waiver / Estoppel / Ratification

☐ Claimant waived the claims at issue
☐ Claimant is estopped from asserting the claims
☐ Claimant ratified the transactions at issue

Supporting facts: [________________________________]

4.4 Comparative Fault / Contributory Negligence

☐ Claimant's own conduct contributed to or caused the alleged damages

Supporting facts: [________________________________]

4.5 No Duty / No Breach

☐ Respondent owed no duty to Claimant as alleged
☐ Respondent did not breach any duty owed to Claimant

Supporting facts: [________________________________]

4.6 No Causation

☐ Respondent's conduct did not cause Claimant's alleged damages

Supporting facts: [________________________________]

4.7 No Damages / Failure to Mitigate

☐ Claimant suffered no damages
☐ Claimant failed to mitigate damages

Supporting facts: [________________________________]

4.8 Compliance with Applicable Rules

☐ Respondent complied with all applicable FINRA rules and regulations
☐ Respondent complied with all applicable securities laws
☐ Respondent acted within applicable standards of care

Supporting facts: [________________________________]

4.9 Additional Affirmative Defenses

☐ Release and Settlement
☐ Accord and Satisfaction
☐ Res Judicata / Collateral Estoppel
☐ Lack of Standing
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Supporting facts: [________________________________]

SECTION 5: COUNTERCLAIMS (IF APPLICABLE)

☐ Respondent does not assert any counterclaims
☐ Respondent asserts the following counterclaims against Claimant:

5.1 Counterclaim Statement

COUNTERCLAIM

NOW COMES Respondent [________________________________], and for its counterclaim against Claimant [________________________________], states as follows:

Background Facts:

[________________________________]

Count I: [________________________________]

[________________________________]

Count II: [________________________________]

[________________________________]

5.2 Relief Requested on Counterclaim

Respondent respectfully requests the following relief:

☐ Compensatory damages in the amount of $ [________________________________]
☐ Interest at the rate of [____]% per annum
☐ Attorney's fees and costs
☐ Expungement of CRD record (if applicable)
☐ Other: [________________________________]

5.3 Counterclaim Filing Fee

☐ Filing fee enclosed in the amount of $ [________________________________]
☐ Fee schedule: Based on counterclaim amount per FINRA Rule 12900

SECTION 6: CROSS-CLAIMS (IF MULTIPLE RESPONDENTS)

☐ Not applicable - single Respondent
☐ Respondent does not assert cross-claims against other Respondents
☐ Respondent asserts the following cross-claims:

Against: [________________________________]

[________________________________]

SECTION 7: THIRD-PARTY CLAIMS

☐ Respondent does not assert third-party claims
☐ Respondent asserts third-party claims against:

SECTION 8: RESPONDENT'S STATEMENT OF FACTS

8.1 Factual Background

[________________________________]

Provide a detailed narrative of the relevant facts from Respondent's perspective, including:
- Nature of the customer relationship
- Relevant communications and disclosures
- Transaction history
- Market conditions
- Customer's investment experience and objectives

8.2 Timeline of Events

SECTION 9: RELIEF REQUESTED

Respondent respectfully requests that the arbitration panel:

☐ Dismiss the Statement of Claim in its entirety with prejudice
☐ Deny all relief requested by Claimant
☐ Award Respondent its costs and expenses
☐ Award Respondent attorney's fees
☐ Grant Respondent's counterclaim relief as set forth above
☐ Recommend expungement of any arbitration disclosure from Respondent's CRD record
☐ Other: [________________________________]

SECTION 10: DOCUMENT PRODUCTION LIST REQUEST

10.1 Simplified Arbitration (Claims under $50,000)

☐ Respondent requests that the Document Production Lists apply to this arbitration per FINRA Rule 12506

10.2 Non-Simplified Arbitration

☐ Respondent will comply with the Document Production Lists under FINRA Rule 12506
☐ Respondent reserves the right to request additional discovery

SECTION 11: ARBITRATOR SELECTION

11.1 Panel Composition

Based on the amount in controversy:

☐ One arbitrator (claims up to $100,000 - simplified)
☐ One arbitrator (claims $100,001 - $500,000, if elected)
☐ Three arbitrators (claims over $500,000 or if requested)

11.2 Chairperson-Eligible Arbitrators

☐ Respondent requests that the chairperson be an attorney
☐ Respondent has no preference regarding chairperson qualifications

11.3 All-Public Panel Option

☐ Respondent consents to an all-public panel
☐ Respondent requests that a non-public arbitrator serve on the panel

SECTION 12: CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

12.1 Certification

I certify that:

1. I have read this Answer and know the contents thereof
2. The statements of fact contained herein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief
3. This Answer is filed in good faith and not for purposes of delay
4. A copy of this Answer has been served on all parties

12.2 Signature

______________________________________
Signature of Respondent or Authorized Representative

[________________________________]
Name (Print)

[________________________________]
Title (if applicable)

Date: [__/__/____]

UNIFORM SUBMISSION AGREEMENT

The undersigned parties hereby submit the present matter in controversy, as set forth in the attached Statement of Claim and Answer, to arbitration in accordance with the FINRA Code of Arbitration Procedure.

The undersigned parties agree to be bound by and comply with the following:

1. The Constitution, By-Laws, Rules, and Regulations of FINRA as they are in effect or as they may be amended from time to time
2. The determinations, including any interim rulings, of the majority of the arbitrators or the arbitrator
3. To the assessment of forum fees as directed by the arbitrators

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on [__/__/____], I served a true and correct copy of this Answer to Statement of Claim, together with the Uniform Submission Agreement, upon the following via:

☐ FINRA DR Portal
☐ U.S. Mail, First Class, postage prepaid
☐ Overnight Courier
☐ Email

Served Upon:

______________________________________
Signature

[________________________________]
Name (Print)

Date: [__/__/____]

FILING INSTRUCTIONS

Where to File:

• Electronic Filing: FINRA DR Portal (https://www.finra.org/arbitration-mediation)
• Mail: FINRA Dispute Resolution, One Liberty Plaza, 165 Broadway, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10006

Required Copies:

• Original for Director
• One copy for each arbitrator
• One copy for each party

Filing Fees (2026 Rates):

Refer to FINRA Rule 12900/12901 for current fee schedules based on claim amount

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• FINRA Rule 12303: https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/rulebooks/finra-rules/12303
• FINRA Arbitration Process: https://www.finra.org/arbitration-mediation
• Code of Arbitration Procedure for Customer Disputes: https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/rulebooks/finra-rules/12000

This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. FINRA arbitration has strict procedural requirements and deadlines. Consult with qualified securities arbitration counsel before filing any response.