The Association shall make an initial screening for bias as may be appropriate and shall require a candidate for a particular case to complete a current personal disclosure statement under oath. In addition to other relevant information this statement shall disclose any personal acquaintance with any of the parties or their counsel and the nature of such acquaintance. If this statement reveals facts which suggest the possibility of partiality, the Association shall communicate those facts to the parties if the panelist is proposed by the arbitration association.
(a) Any party may propound reasonable questions to an arbitrator candidate if such questions are propounded within ten (10) days of the receipt of the candidate’s name. Such questions shall be propounded through the Association and the candidate shall respond to the Association promptly.
(b) A party shall not communicate with a candidate directly or indirectly except through the Association at any time after the filing of the demand for arbitration. Any candidate who is aware of such communication shall immediately notify the Association.