68 FR 213 pgs. 62490-62492 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Relating to the Waiver of California Arbitrator Disclosure Standards
Type: NOTICEVolume: 68Number: 213Pages: 62490 - 62492
Docket number: [Release No. 34-48711; File No. SR-NASD-2003-153]
FR document: [FR Doc. 03-27662 Filed 11-3-03; 8:45 am]
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-48711; File No. SR-NASD-2003-153]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Relating to the Waiver of California Arbitrator Disclosure Standards
October 29, 2003.
Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act"),1and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,2notice is hereby given that on October 6, 2003, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), through its wholly owned subsidiary, NASD Dispute Resolution, Inc. ("NASD Dispute Resolution"), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC" or "Commission") the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by NASD Dispute Resolution. NASD has designated the proposed rule change as constituting a "non-controversial" rule change pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the Act,3which renders the proposal effective upon receipt of this filing by the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
Footnotes:
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
3 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
NASD is proposing to amend the pilot rule in IM-10100(f) of the NASD Code of Arbitration Procedure, which requires industry parties in arbitration to waive application of contested California arbitrator disclosure standards, to include claims by members against other members or associated person that relate exclusively to promissory notes. Below is the text of the proposed rule change. Proposed new language is in italics; proposed deletions are in [brackets].
10000. Code of Arbitration Procedure
IM-10100. Failure To Act Under Provisions of Code of Arbitration Procedure
It may be deemed conduct inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade and a violation of Rule 2110 for a member or a person associated with a member to:
(a)-(e) No change.
(f) fail to waive the California Rules of Court, Division VI of the Appendix, entitled, "Ethics Standards for Neutral Arbitrators in Contractual Arbitration" (the "California Standards"), if [all the parties in the case who are customers, or associated persons with a claim against a member firm or another associated person, have waived application of the California Standards in that case.] application of the California Standards has been waived by all parties to the dispute who are:
(1) Customers with a claim against a member or an associated person;
(2) associated persons with a claim against a member or an associated person;
(3) members with a claim against another member; or
(4) members with a claim against an associated person that relates exclusively to a promissory note.
[The w] W ritten waiver by [the customer or the associated person asserting the claim against a member or associated person under the Code] such parties shall constitute and operate as a waiver for all member firms or associated persons against whom the claim has been filed. This rule applies to claims brought in California against all member firms and associated persons, including terminated or otherwise inactive member firms or associated persons. Remainder unchanged.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, NASD included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The NASD has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
NASD is proposing to amend the pilot rule in IM-10100(f) that requires industry parties in arbitration to waive application of contested California arbitrator disclosure standards to include claims by members against other members or associated person that relate exclusively to promissory notes.
Background
In July 2002, the California Judicial Commission adopted a set of rules, "Ethics Standards for Neutral Arbitrators in Contractual Arbitration" ("California Standards"),4governing ethical standards for arbitrators. The rules were designed to address conflicts of interest in private arbitration forums that are not part of a federal regulatory system overseen on a uniform, national basis by the SEC. The California Standards imposed disclosure requirements on arbitrators that conflict with the disclosure rules of NASD and the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). Because NASD could not both administer its arbitration program in accordance with its own rules and comply with the new California Standards at the same time, NASD initially suspended the appointment of arbitrators in cases in California, but offered parties several options for pursuing their cases.5
In November 2002, NASD and NYSE filed a lawsuit in federal district court seeking a declaratory judgment that the California Standards are inapplicable to arbitration forums sponsored by self-regulatory organizations ("SROs").6That litigation is currently pending on appeal. Since then, other lawsuits relating to the application of the California Standards to SRO-sponsored arbitration have been filed, several of which are also still pending.
Footnotes:
4 California Rules of Court, Division VI of the Appendix, entitled, "Ethics Standards for Neutral Arbitrators in Contractual Arbitration" (the "California Standards").
5 These measures included providing venue changes for arbitration cases, using non-California arbitrators when appropriate, and waiving administrative fees for NASD-sponsored mediations.
6 See Motion for Declaratory Judgment, NASD Dispute Resolution, Inc. and New York Stock Exchange, Inc. v. Judicial Council of California, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, No. C 02 3486 SBA (July 22, 2002), available on the NASD Web site at: http://www.nasdadr.com/pdf-text/072202_ca_complaint.pdf.
To allow arbitrations to proceed in California while the litigation is pending, NASD implemented a pilot rule to require all industry parties (member firms and associated persons) to waive application of the California Standards to the case, if all the parties in the case who are customers, or associated persons with claims against industry parties, have done so.7In such cases, the arbitration proceeds under the NASD Code of Arbitration Procedure, which already contains extensive disclosure requirements and provisions for challenging arbitrators with potential conflicts of interest.8
Footnotes:
7 Originally, the pilot rule only applied to claims by customers, or by associated persons asserting a statutory employment discrimination claim against a member, and required a written waiver by the industry respondents. In July 2003, NASD expanded the scope of the pilot rule to include all claims by associated persons against another associated person or a member. At the same time, the rule was amended to provide that when a customer, or an associated person with a claim against a member or another associated person, agrees to waive the application of the California Standards, all respondents that are members or associated persons will be deemed to have waived the application of the standards as well. The July 2003 amendment also clarified that the pilot rule applies to terminated members and associated persons. See Securities Exchange Act Rel. No. 48187 (July 16, 2003), 68 FR 43553 (July 23, 2003) (File No. SR-NASD-2003-106).
8 The NYSE has a similar rule; Rule 600(g).
The pilot rule, which was originally approved for six months on September 26, 2002, has been extended, and is now due to expire on March 31, 2004.9
Footnotes:
9 See Securities Exchange Act Rel. No. 48553 (September 26, 2003), 68 FR 57494 (October 3, 3003) (File No. SR-NASD-2003-144).
Description of Proposed Rule Change
The pilot rule currently applies to all claims filed by customers, and to claims filed by associated persons against members or other associated persons. The proposed rule change would extend the pilot rule to apply to claims filed by members against other members, and to claims filed by members against associated persons that relate exclusively to promissory notes.
Specifically, the proposed rule change would amend IM-10100(f) to provide that if a member bringing a claim against another member, or a claim against an associated person that relates exclusively to promissory notes, waives application of the California Standards to the dispute, then the industry respondents will also be deemed to have waived the application of the Standards.10This rule change will allow to proceed the majority of the remaining intra-industry cases that are currently stalled due to the confusion surrounding the California Standards. It will also prevent delay in such cases that are filed in the future, and will facilitate the administration of cases against such parties in California while the rule is in effect. NASD proposes to make the proposed rule change, which will apply to pending and future arbitrations, operative immediately upon filing.
Footnotes:
10 The proposed rule change would include disputes that relate exclusively to promissory notes. It would not apply in cases that involve both promissory notes and other types of claims that do not already fall within the scope of the rule.
2. Statutory Basis
NASD believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,11which requires, among other things, that NASD's rules must be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. NASD believes that by expediting the appointment of arbitrators under the waiver, the proposed rule change will allow affected parties to pursue their contractual rights to proceed in arbitration in California, notwithstanding the confusion caused by the disputed California Standards.
Footnotes:
11 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6).
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
NASD does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act, as amended.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others
Written comments were neither solicited nor received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action
NASD has designated the proposed rule change as one that: (i) Does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) does not impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) does not become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate. Therefore, the foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act12and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.13At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate the rule change if it appears to the Commission that the action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or would otherwise further the purposes of the Act.
Footnotes:
12 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
13 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
Pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) under the Act,14the proposal may not become operative for 30 days after the date of its filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, and the self-regulatory organization must file notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at least five business days beforehand. NASD has requested that the Commission waive the five-day pre-filing requirement and the 30-day operative delay so that the proposed rule change will become immediately effective upon filing.
Footnotes:
14 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
The Commission believes that waiving the five-day pre-filing provision and the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest.15The Commission believes that waiving the pre-filing requirement and accelerating the operative date should have no negative effect on the protection of investors, and should further the public interest by immediately providing members that have claims against other members, or claims against associated persons that relate exclusively to promissory notes, with a mechanism to resolve their disputes. During the period of this pilot program, the Commission and NASD will continue to monitor the status of the previously discussed litigation. For these reasons, the Commission designates that the proposed rule change as effective and operative immediately.
Footnotes:
15 For purposes of accelerating the operative date of this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Persons making written submissions should file six copies thereof with the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549-0609. Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the NASD. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-NASD-2003-153 and should be submitted by November 25, 2003.
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.16
Footnotes:
16 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-27662 Filed 11-3-03; 8:45 am]
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