§ 251.34 - Gifts and other things of monetary value.

(a) Selected arbitrators. From the time of selection to the time of the submission of the arbitration panel's report, whether during the initial proceeding or during a court-ordered remand, no selected arbitrator shall solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, travel, entertainment, service, loan, or any other thing of monetary value from a person or organization that has an interest that would be affected by the outcome of the proceeding, regardless of whether the offer was intended to affect the outcome of the proceeding.

(b) Listed arbitrators. No listed arbitrator shall solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, travel, entertainment, service, loan, or any other thing of monetary value from a person or organization that has an interest in any proceeding for which the arbitrator might be selected, regardless of whether the offer was intended to affect the outcome of the proceeding, except—

(1) A listed arbitrator may accept unsolicited gifts having an aggregate market value of $20 or less per occasion, as long as the aggregate market value of individual gifts received from any one source does not exceed $50 in a calendar year, or

(2) A listed arbitrator may accept a gift given under circumstances in which it is clear that the gift is motivated by a family relationship or personal friendship rather than the potential of the listed arbitrator to decide a future proceeding.

(c) A gift that is solicited or accepted indirectly includes a gift—

(1) Given with the arbitrator's knowledge and acquiescence to the arbitrator's parent, sibling, spouse, child, or dependent relative because of that person's relationship to the arbitrator, or

(2) Given to any other person, including any charitable organization, on the basis of designation, recommendation, or other specification by the arbitrator.