1. (1) Formal disciplinary proceedings shall be deemed special proceedings within the meaning of CPLR article 4, and shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the rules of the court, the rules and procedures set forth in this Part, and the requirements of Judiciary Law section 90. Unless otherwise directed by the court, there shall be:

   1. (i) a notice of petition and petition, which the committee shall serve upon the respondent in a manner consistent with Judiciary Law section 90(6), and which shall be returnable on no less than 20 days’ notice;
   2. (ii) an answer; and
   3. (iii) a reply if appropriate. Except upon consent of the parties or by leave of the court or referee, no other pleadings or amendment or supplement of pleadings shall be permitted. All pleadings shall be filed with the court. The court shall permit or require such appearances as it deems necessary in each case.

2. (2) Statement of disputed facts. Within 20 days after service of the answer or, if applicable, a reply, the committee shall file with the court a statement of facts that identifies those allegations that the committee contends are undisputed and those allegations that the party contends are disputed and for which a hearing is necessary. Within 20 days following submission by the committee, the respondent shall respond to the committee’s statement and, if appropriate, set forth respondent’s statement of facts identifying those allegations that the respondent contends are undisputed and those allegations that the respondent contends are disputed and for which a hearing is necessary. In the alternative, within 30 days after service of the answer or, if applicable, a reply, the parties may:

   1. (i) file a joint statement advising the court that the pleadings raise no issue of fact requiring a hearing; or
   2. (ii) file a joint stipulation of disputed and undisputed facts.

3. (3) Disclosure concerning disputed facts. Except as otherwise ordered by the court, a party must, no later than 14 days after filing a statement of facts with the court as required by paragraph (2) of this subdivision, provide to any other party disclosure concerning the allegations that the party contends are disputed. The disclosure shall identify the following:

   1. (i) the name of each individual likely to have relevant and discoverable information that the disclosing party may use to support or contest the disputed allegation and a general description of the information likely possessed by that individual; and
   2. (ii) a copy of each document that the disclosing party has in its possession or control that the party may use to support or contest the allegation, unless copying such documents would be unduly burdensome or expensive, in which case the disclosing party may provide a description of the documents by category and location, together with an opportunity to inspect and copy such documents.
4. (4) Subpoenas. Upon application by the committee or the respondent, the clerk of the court may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and papers before court or the referee designated by the court to conduct a hearing on the issues raised in the proceeding, at a time and place therein specified. When there is good cause to believe that a potential witness will be unavailable at the time of a hearing, the testimony of that witness may be initiated and conducted, and used at the hearing, in a manner provided by article 31 of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules.

5. (5) Discipline by consent.

   1. (i) At any time after the filing of the petition with proof of service, the parties may file a joint motion with the court requesting the imposition of discipline by consent. The joint motion shall include:

      1. (a) a stipulation of facts;
      2. (b) the respondent’s conditional admission of the acts of professional misconduct and the specific rules or standards of conduct violated;
      3. (c) any relevant aggravating and mitigating factors, including the respondent’s prior disciplinary record; and
      4. (d) the agreed upon discipline to be imposed, which may include monetary restitution authorized by Judiciary Law section 90(6-a).

   2. (ii) When the proceeding includes allegations that the respondent has willfully misappropriated or misapplied money or property in the practice of law, and the respondent has conditionally admitted facts establishing that restitution is owed, the parties, in the joint motion, shall:

      1. (a) identify the person or persons whose money or property was willfully misappropriated or misapplied;
      2. (b) specify the value of such money or property; and
      3. (c) state that the respondent has consented to the entry of an order requiring the respondent to make monetary restitution pursuant to Judiciary Law section 90(6-a).

   3. (iii) The joint motion shall be accompanied by an affidavit of the respondent acknowledging that the respondent:

      1. (a) conditionally admits the facts set forth in the stipulation of facts;
      2. (b) consents to the agreed upon discipline;
      3. (c) gives the consent freely and voluntarily without coercion or duress; and
      4. (d) is fully aware of the consequences of consenting to such discipline.
   4. (iv) Notice of the joint motion, without its supporting papers, shall be served upon the referee, if one has been appointed, and all proceedings shall be stayed pending the court’s determination of the motion. If the motion is granted, the court shall issue a decision imposing discipline upon the respondent based on the stipulated facts and as agreed upon in the joint motion. If the motion is denied, the conditional admissions shall be deemed withdrawn and shall not be used against the respondent or the committee in the pending proceeding

6. (6) Discipline on default. In the event a respondent fails to file an answer within the time period specified in these rules, the committee may move the court, on notice to the respondent, for an order finding the respondent in default, deeming the material allegations of the petition admitted by the respondent, and granting any other relief provided by law and warranted under the circumstances.

   (b) Disposition by Appellate Division.

7. (1) Hearing. Upon application of any party, or on its own motion, the court may refer a formal disciplinary proceeding to a referee for a hearing on any issue that the court deems appropriate. The referee may grant requests for additional disclosure as justice may require. Unless otherwise directed by the court, the referee shall complete the hearing within 60 days following the date of the entry of the order of reference, and shall, following post-hearing submissions, file with the court a written report setting forth the referee’s findings and recommendations. Formal disciplinary charges may be sustained when the referee finds, by a fair preponderance of the evidence, each essential element of the charge. The parties may make such motions to affirm or disaffirm the referee’s report as permitted by the court.

8. (2) Discipline. In presenting arguments on the issue of appropriate discipline for misconduct, the parties may cite any relevant factor, including but not limited to the nature of the misconduct, aggravating and mitigating circumstances, the parties’ contentions regarding the appropriate sanction under the American Bar Association’s Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions, and applicable case law and precedent. Upon a finding that any person covered by this Part has committed professional misconduct, the court may impose discipline or take other action that is authorized by law and, in the discretion of the court, is appropriate to protect the public, maintain the honor and integrity of the profession, or deter others from committing similar misconduct.

   (c) Applications and motions to the Appellate Division.

   Unless otherwise specified by this Part, applications and motions shall be made in accordance with the rules of the court in which the proceeding is pending.

(a) Procedure for formal disciplinary proceedings in the Appellate Division.