[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 146 (Friday, July 29, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45631-45636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-19193]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-64954; File No. SR-FINRA-2010-036]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory 
Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing Proposed Rule Change and Amendment 
No. 1 To Amend the Codes of Arbitration Procedure To Permit Arbitrators 
To Make Mid-Case Referrals

 July 25, 2011.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on July 12, 2010, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. 
(``FINRA'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' 
or ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, 
II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by FINRA. On July 7, 
2011, FINRA filed Amendment No. 1.\3\ The Commission is publishing this 
notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change, as modified by 
Amendment No. 1, from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ Amendment No. 1 to SR-FINRA-2010-036 replaces and supersedes 
the original rule filing.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    FINRA is proposing to amend Rule 12104 of the Code of Arbitration 
Procedure for Customer Disputes (``Customer Code'') and Rule 13104 of 
the Code of Arbitration Procedure for Industry Disputes (``Industry 
Code'') to broaden arbitrators' authority to make referrals during an 
arbitration proceeding.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on FINRA's Web 
site at http://www.finra.org, at the principal office of FINRA and at 
the Commission's Public Reference Room.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, FINRA 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. FINRA 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
(a) Background
    In light of well publicized securities frauds that resulted in harm 
to investors, FINRA has reviewed the Customer and Industry Codes 
(together, Codes) and determined that its rules on arbitrator referrals 
should be amended to permit arbitrators to make referrals during an 
arbitration proceeding, rather than solely at the conclusion of a 
matter as is currently the case.
    Currently, Rule 12104(b) of the Customer Code and Rule 13104(b) of 
the Industry Code state, in relevant part, that any arbitrator may 
refer to FINRA for disciplinary investigation any matter that has come 
to the arbitrator's attention during and in connection with the 
arbitration only at the conclusion of an arbitration (emphasis added). 
FINRA is concerned that the current rule's requirement that arbitrators 
in all instances must wait until a case is concluded before making a 
referral could hamper FINRA's efforts to uncover fraud as early as 
possible. FINRA is proposing, therefore, to broaden the arbitrators' 
authority under the Codes to make referrals, in limited

[[Page 45632]]

circumstances, during the hearing phase of an arbitration.
(b) Explanation of the Proposed Rule Changes to the Customer Code \4\
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    \4\ As noted, FINRA also is proposing to amend Rule 13104 of the 
Industry Code to broaden the arbitrators' authority to make 
referrals in intra-industry cases. The explanations for the proposed 
changes to Rule 13104 are the same as those for Rule 12104 of the 
Customer Code.
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Rule 12104--Effect of Arbitration on FINRA Regulatory Activities
    First, FINRA proposes to add the phrase ``Arbitrator Referral 
During or at Conclusion of Case'' to the title of Rule 12104 so that it 
reflects accurately the proposed changes. The new title would read: 
``Effect of Arbitration on FINRA Regulatory Activities; Arbitrator 
Referral During or at Conclusion of Case.''
    Second, the current rule would be rearranged to reflect the order 
in which an arbitrator may make a referral in an arbitration case. 
Subparagraph (a) would remain unchanged. The rule language in current 
subparagraph (b) of the rule, which addresses arbitrator referrals made 
only at the conclusion of the case (hereinafter, ``the post-case 
referral provision''), would be amended and moved to new subparagraph 
(e). In its place, FINRA would insert new rule language in subparagraph 
(b) to address arbitrator referrals made during the hearing phase of an 
arbitration (hereinafter, ``the mid-case referral provision''). New 
subparagraph (c) would require the Director of Arbitration to disclose 
the mid-case referral to the parties and permit the parties to request 
the referring arbitrators' recusal. New subparagraph (d) would provide 
the President of FINRA Dispute Resolution (President) and the Director 
with the authority to evaluate the arbitrator referral to determine 
whether to transmit it to other divisions of FINRA. Finally, new 
subparagraph (e) would contain the rule language in current 
subparagraph (b), with some minor amendments, to address post-case 
referrals.
Rule 12104(b)--Mid-Case Referral Provision
    Rule 12104(b) would be amended to state that during the pendency of 
an arbitration, any arbitrator may refer to the Director any matter or 
conduct that has come to the arbitrator's attention during the hearing, 
which the arbitrator has reason to believe poses a serious threat, 
whether ongoing or imminent, that is likely to harm investors unless 
immediate action is taken. The proposed rule would also state that 
arbitrators should not make referrals during the pendency of an 
arbitration based solely on allegations in the statement of claim, 
counterclaim, cross claim, or third party claim. Further, the proposed 
rule would also state that if a case is nearing completion, the 
arbitrator should wait until the case concludes to make the referral 
if, in the arbitrator's judgment, investor protection would not be 
materially compromised by this delay.
    First, FINRA is proposing to permit any arbitrator to make a mid-
case referral to the Director but only after the commencement of an 
evidentiary hearing. The amended proposal would limit mid-case 
referrals, so that the referrals would be based on evidence presented 
by the parties during a hearing. FINRA believes this limitation would 
ensure that arbitrators have reviewed or heard actual evidence that 
would enable them to make an informed decision before making a mid-case 
referral.
    Second, proposed Rule 12104(b) would state that arbitrators must 
not make mid-case referrals based only on allegations in the statement 
of claim, counterclaim, cross claim, or third party claim. Thus, mid-
case referrals could not be based solely on the parties' pleadings.\5\ 
Because Dispute Resolution routinely provides copies of arbitration 
claims and other pleadings to other FINRA divisions for analysis, mid-
case referrals based only on the pleadings are not necessary to apprise 
those divisions of possible wrongdoing.\6\ But if, during a hearing, 
arbitrators learn of information relating to an ongoing or imminent 
threat, the new rule would give them the discretion to make a mid-case 
referral to protect other investors. Moreover, by providing that the 
arbitrators should not make a mid-case referral based solely on the 
pleadings, the rule would limit unnecessary disruption to an ongoing 
case.
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    \5\ A pleading is a statement describing a party's causes of 
action or defenses. Documents that are considered pleadings are: a 
statement of claim, an answer, a counterclaim, a cross claim, a 
third party claim, and any replies. Rule 12100(s) of the Customer 
Code and Rule 13100(s) of the Industry Code.
    \6\ Dispute Resolution provides copies of all statements of 
claim, amended initial claims, counterclaims, amended counterclaims, 
cross claims, amended cross claims, third party claims, amended 
third party claims, and answers in promissory note cases to the 
Central Review Group (CRG), which is part of the Office of Fraud 
Detection and Market Intelligence, to analyze for fraudulent 
securities activity. If this analysis indicates possible securities 
violations, CRG may alert Enforcement for further review.
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    Third, the proposed rule would require that the arbitrator have 
reason to believe the serious threat, whether ongoing or imminent, is 
likely to harm investors unless immediate action is taken before making 
a mid-case referral. Under the proposed threshold of certainty, the 
referring arbitrator would not need to conclude that there is fraud, 
only that there is an indication of an ongoing or imminent threat that 
requires immediate action. FINRA believes the proposed threshold for 
making a mid-case referral would reduce the potential for a finding of 
arbitrator bias and would help a prevailing investor defend against a 
possible motion to vacate the award.
    The Federal Arbitration Act establishes four grounds for vacating 
an arbitration award, one of which is evident partiality.\7\ A party 
can establish an arbitrator's evident partiality by demonstrating that 
the arbitrator either failed to disclose relevant facts or displayed 
actual bias at the arbitration proceeding.\8\ Thus, a party may attempt 
to overturn an award issued through FINRA's dispute resolution forum, 
based on an arbitrator's mid-case referral, on the ground that such a 
referral establishes an arbitrator's evident partiality. Generally, 
case law permits arbitrators to form opinions based on the evidence 
presented to them after they are appointed, and an award would not be 
vacated because arbitrators developed their views prior to the 
conclusion of the proceedings.\9\ Accordingly, FINRA believes that the 
new standards, which would require an arbitrator to base a mid-case 
referral on evidence learned at a hearing, would reduce the potential 
for establishing arbitrator bias and would help a prevailing investor 
defend against a motion to vacate.
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    \7\ 9 U.S.C. 10(a).
    \8\ See Timothy L. Woods v. Saturn Distribution Corporation, 78 
F.3d 424, 427 (9th Cir. 1996).
    \9\ Ballantine Books Inc. v. Capital Distributing Company, 302 
F.2d 17, 21 (2nd Cir. 1962).
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    Last, proposed Rule 12104(b) also would provide arbitrators with 
the discretion to delay their referral until the end of a case if, in 
the arbitrator's judgment, investor protection will not be materially 
compromised by a short delay in making the mid-case referral. For 
example, if, during the third of four consecutively scheduled hearing 
days,\10\ where the case is to conclude on the fourth day, the 
arbitrators learn of an ongoing or imminent threat that meets the 
criteria of the proposed rule, the arbitrators could defer making the 
mid-case referral until the conclusion of the case.\11\ In deciding 
whether to delay

[[Page 45633]]

making a mid-case referral, however, arbitrators should weigh the 
potential harm a mid-case referral could have on the individual 
claimant against the possible harm to the markets and other investors 
that a brief delay, one day in the example above, could cause.
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    \10\ The average arbitration hearing takes slightly under 5 
days.
    \11\ If the referring arbitrator delays making the referral 
until the conclusion of the case, the referral would then take place 
under the current rule, which provides for referrals at the 
conclusion of a case.
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    FINRA contemplates that the mid-case referral rule would typically 
be used in those circumstances where a hearing is scheduled for many 
days, or even weeks, and, in particular, where the hearing days are not 
scheduled consecutively. In the example above, if four hearing days 
were scheduled, but there was a significant time gap between scheduled 
hearing dates, then a delay in making a mid-case referral would not 
likely be appropriate. The proposed rule would encourage arbitrators to 
determine, based on their judgment and the facts and circumstances of 
the case, whether a mid-case or post-case referral is more appropriate.
    FINRA believes that the criteria in proposed Rule 12104(b) would 
limit the use of the mid-case referral rule to only rare circumstances. 
While FINRA has lowered the threshold of certainty that arbitrators 
must have to make a mid-case referral, the referral must be based on 
evidence presented at a hearing, not information provided in the 
pleadings. Further, the evidence must support the arbitrators' belief 
that the threat is either ongoing or imminent, and likely to harm 
investors unless immediate action is taken. Although the proposed rule 
provides arbitrators with discretion to determine whether a delay in 
making a mid-case referral is appropriate, the arbitrators must 
determine as an initial matter whether the threat, as supported by the 
evidence, meets the criteria of the proposed rule. For these reasons, 
FINRA believes that arbitrators would rarely invoke the mid-case 
referral rule.
Rule 12104(c)--Arbitrator Disclosure and Arbitrator Recusal
    If any arbitrator makes a mid-case referral under proposed Rule 
12104(c), the Director will disclose to the parties the arbitrator's 
act of making such referral. The proposed rule also states that a party 
may request that referring arbitrators recuse themselves, as provided 
in the Codes. Under the proposal, if an arbitrator makes a mid-case 
referral, the arbitrator will notify the Director, who, in turn, will 
notify the parties.
    Currently, under the Codes, any party may ask arbitrators to recuse 
themselves from the panel for good cause.\12\ The arbitrators, who are 
the subject of the request, decide such requests.\13\ FINRA believes 
that, in any case, a party should have the right to challenge an 
arbitrator's appearance on a panel. However, FINRA also believes that 
the arbitrator who is the subject of the challenge is best suited to 
assess the merits of a party's challenge and respond appropriately.
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    \12\ Rule 12406 of the Customer Code and Rule 13409 of the 
Industry Code.
    \13\ Id.
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    Thus, FINRA is proposing to change the requirement that the 
referring arbitrators withdraw from the panel upon a party's request, 
as provided in the original proposal. Rather, under the amended 
proposal, parties may make a recusal request of the referring 
arbitrators in the event of a mid-case referral. However, the referring 
arbitrators should honor such a request only if they conclude that they 
cannot serve impartially as a result of the act of making such a 
referral.
    In cases with one arbitrator, if, after the arbitrator makes a mid-
case referral, the parties submit a recusal request and the arbitrator 
honors it, the Director will appoint a replacement arbitrator as 
provided for in the Codes.\14\ The arbitration case will begin anew 
with the replacement arbitrator. The parties may stipulate to facts, 
prior witness testimony, documents and other evidence provided during 
the initial case to educate the replacement arbitrator and expedite the 
subsequent case.\15\ If the parties cannot agree or are unable to 
provide suggestions on how to educate the replacement arbitrator, the 
arbitrator will determine the best approach to commence the subsequent 
case including, but not limited to, reviewing transcripts from the 
initial case, listening to tapes from the initial case, or recalling 
witnesses. If the replacement arbitrator holds hearings in the 
subsequent case, the arbitrator will have the discretion in the award 
to determine which party or parties will pay the additional costs and 
expenses.\16\ Further, in the award, the arbitrator will have 
discretion to order a party to reimburse another party for all or part 
of any filing fee paid.\17\
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    \14\ See Rule 12402(g) of the Customer Code and Rule 13411 of 
the Industry Code.
    \15\ See Rule 12105(a) of the Customer Code and Rule 13105(a) of 
the Industry Code.
    \16\ See Rule 12902(c) of the Customer Code and Rule 13902(c) of 
the Industry Code.
    \17\ See Rule 12900(d) of the Customer Code and Rule 13900(d) of 
the Industry Code.
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    In a case involving three arbitrators, if any arbitrator honors a 
request for recusal, the Director will appoint a replacement arbitrator 
as provided for in the Codes, unless the parties agree in writing to 
proceed with only the remaining arbitrators.\18\ If a replacement 
arbitrator is appointed in these cases, the parties may stipulate to 
facts, prior witness testimony, documents and other evidence provided 
during the initial case to educate the new arbitrator.\19\ If the 
parties cannot agree or are unable to provide suggestions on how to 
educate the new arbitrator to proceed in the case, the panel, including 
the replacement arbitrator, will determine the best approach to educate 
the new arbitrator to proceed in the case including, but not limited 
to, reviewing transcripts from the initial case, listening to tapes 
from the initial case, or recalling witnesses. If the panel holds 
hearings after FINRA appoints a replacement arbitrator, the panel will 
have the discretion in the award to determine which party or parties 
will pay the additional costs and expenses.\20\ Further, in the award, 
the panel will have discretion to order a party to reimburse another 
party for all or part of any filing fee paid.\21\
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    \18\ See Rules 12403(c)(6) and 12403(d)(6)-(8) of the Customer 
Code and Rule 13411 of the Industry Code.
    \19\ Supra note 15.
    \20\ See Rule 12902(c) of the Customer Code and Rule 13902(c) of 
the Industry Code.
    \21\ See Rule 12900(d) of the Customer Code and Rule 13900(d) of 
the Industry Code.
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Rule 12104(d)--President's and Director's Authority
    Proposed Rule 12104(d) would authorize the President or the 
Director to evaluate the arbitrator referral to determine whether it 
should be transmitted to other FINRA divisions, and limit this 
authority to the President or the Director.\22\
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    \22\ The process for handling mid-case referrals would be 
similar to the Director's authority to remove an arbitrator after 
the first hearing or initial pre-hearing conference. Thus, the 
mechanism for such a review currently exists in the forum. See Rule 
12408 of the Customer Code and Rule 13412 of the Industry Code.
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    FINRA believes the proposed rule provides an added layer of 
protection for the investor by providing only the President or Director 
with the authority to determine whether to forward the mid-case 
referral to other FINRA divisions. This requirement would insulate the 
referring arbitrator from reaching the ultimate conclusion that there 
was the likelihood of imminent investor harm before making a mid-case 
referral, since that determination would reside with the President or 
the Director.
Rule 12104(e)--Post-Case Referral Provision
    The rule language in current subparagraph (b) of the Rule 12104,

[[Page 45634]]

which addresses arbitrator referrals made only at the conclusion of the 
case, would be amended and moved to new subparagraph (e).
    The current rule states that ``only at the conclusion of an 
arbitration, any arbitrator may refer to FINRA for disciplinary 
investigation any matter that has come to the arbitrator's attention 
during and in connection with the arbitration, either from the record 
of the proceeding or from material or communications related to the 
arbitration, which the arbitrator has reason to believe may constitute 
a violation of NASD or FINRA rules, the federal securities laws, or 
other applicable rules or laws.''
    The proposal would continue to permit arbitrators to make post-case 
referrals. However, FINRA would remove the term ``disciplinary'' to 
ensure that the scope of potential referrals is not limited to 
disciplinary findings, and would add the phrase ``or conduct,'' so that 
the subject-matter of Rule 12104 is consistent throughout the rule. The 
rule also would be amended to replace the reference to violations of 
``NASD or FINRA rules'' with ``the rules of'' FINRA because the current 
FINRA rulebook consists of FINRA Rules, NASD Rules, and incorporated 
NYSE Rules.
    Dispute Resolution would continue the current practice of 
forwarding all post-case arbitrator referrals to FINRA's regulatory 
divisions for review.
Conclusion
    FINRA believes the proposal would strengthen its regulatory 
structure and provide an additional layer of protection to investors 
and the markets from fraudulent securities market schemes. In addition, 
FINRA believes the proposed rule change would provide it with a vital 
tool for detecting and addressing serious ongoing or imminent threats 
to the securities markets as early as possible.
2. Statutory Basis
    FINRA believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
provisions of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,\23\ which requires, among 
other things, that FINRA 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. The proposed rule change is consistent with FINRA's 
statutory obligations under the Act to protect investors and the public 
interest because the proposal could help FINRA detect serious ongoing 
or imminent threats to the securities markets at an earlier stage, 
which could minimize the financial losses of investors as well as the 
effects these threats could have on the securities markets. Thus, the 
proposed rule change would strengthen FINRA's ability to carry out its 
regulatory mission and provide another layer of protection to investors 
and the markets against fraud.
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    \23\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    FINRA 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.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    On July 12, 2010, FINRA filed a proposal to amend Rules 12104 and 
13104 of the Codes to permit arbitrators to make referrals during an 
arbitration case. The SEC published the proposal in the Federal 
Register on September 23, 2010.\24\
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    \24\ See Securities Exchange Act Rel. No. 62930 (Sept. 17, 
2010), 75 FR 58007 (Sept. 23, 2010) (SR-FINRA-2010-036).
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    The original proposal would have provided arbitrators with express 
authority to alert the Director during the prehearing, discovery, or 
hearing phase of a case when they learned of what they believed to be 
fraudulent activity that required immediate action. The original 
proposal also would have required the Director to disclose the mid-case 
referral to the parties, and would have required the entire panel to 
withdraw upon a party's request that a referring arbitrator withdraw 
(hereinafter, ``new panel request''). The proposed disclosure and new 
panel request requirements reflected FINRA's concern about the 
perception of possible arbitrator bias against the party that is the 
subject of the referral, and about the ramifications such perception 
might have on any award rendered by the panel in place at the time of 
the referral. Therefore, FINRA included these requirements to minimize 
the chances of a court vacating an award on the grounds of arbitrator 
bias, which could further delay resolution of an investor's dispute.
    The SEC received eleven comments, all of which opposed the 
proposal.\25\ The commenters raised the following issues.
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    \25\ The SEC received comments on Notice of Filing of Proposed 
Rule Change to Amend the Codes of Arbitration Procedure to Permit 
Arbitrators to Make Mid-case Referrals from Barry D. Estell, 
Attorney at Law, Oct. 11, 2010 (``Estell Comment''); Richard A. 
Stephens, Esq., Attorney and FINRA Chairman, Oct. 11, 2010 
(``Stephens Comment''); Theodore M. Davis, Esq., Law Office of 
Theodore M. Davis, Oct. 11, 2010 (``Davis Comment''); Richard M. 
Layne, Law Office of Richard M. Layne, Oct. 11, 2010 (``Layne 
Comment''); Scott R. Shewan, President, Public Investors Arbitration 
Bar Association (``PIABA Comment''); Leonard Steiner, Steiner & Libo 
P.C., Oct. 11, 2010 (``Steiner Comment''); Dale Ledbetter, Ledbetter 
& Associates, P.A., Oct. 13, 2010 (``Ledbetter Comment''); William 
A. Jacobson, Esq., Associate Clinical Professor and Director, and 
Meghan Tente, Cornell Securities Law Clinic, Oct. 14, 2010 
(``Cornell Comment''); Rob Bleecher, Esquire, Pecht Associates, 
P.C., Oct. 14, 2010 (``Bleecher Comment''); Joelle B. Franc and Gary 
J. Pieples, Syracuse Securities and Consumer Law Clinic, Syracuse 
University College of Law, Oct. 19, 2010 (``Syracuse Comment''); and 
Richard P. Ryder, Esquire, Securities Arbitration Commentator, Inc., 
Jan. 16, 2011 (``Ryder Comment'').
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    First, the commenters contend that the new panel request provision 
benefits the industry party, which would be the only party to be the 
subject of the referral, and which might routinely invoke the rule to 
remove unsympathetic arbitrators.\26\ They also believe that the 
provision would help the industry parties conceal their alleged 
malfeasance, by allowing them, through a request for a new panel, to 
re-start the arbitration, hence, further delaying the outcome of the 
case.\27\
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    \26\ Id.
    \27\ Estell Comment, Layne Comment, PIABA Comment, Bleecher 
Comment, and Stephens Comment.
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    Second, several commenters raised the possibility that, under the 
original proposal, the initial panel's withdrawal could lead to a 
number of subsequent panel withdrawals involving the same parties, 
which would jeopardize further an investor's chances to recover lost 
assets.\28\ They questioned how FINRA would administer a case if, after 
the initial panel's withdrawal, the second panel learned the same 
information and made the same referral.\29\ They also expressed concern 
that the proposal does not limit the number of times the same parties 
would be subject to a panel withdrawal. If multiple withdrawals 
occurred, these commenters believe this result would further delay the 
resolution of an investor's case and would significantly increase their 
costs.\30\
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    \28\ Estell Comment, Layne Comment, PIABA Comment, and Bleecher 
Comment.
    \29\ Id.
    \30\ Id.
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    Third, several commenters also argue that the costs that an 
investor would incur as a result of a new panel request are not 
mitigated adequately under the original proposal.\31\ The commenters

[[Page 45635]]

contend that the original proposal underestimates the costs that 
investors would incur if the panel withdraws mid-case.\32\ In support 
of their contention, they cite examples of some of the additional costs 
investors would incur (e.g., paying expenses for experts to testify at 
a second hearing, or paying to transcribe the record of the prior 
hearings) if a party requests a new panel.\33\ They believe the 
additional costs in time and money would be substantial and would not 
be covered by waiving the fees for any hearing sessions conducted prior 
to the referral.\34\
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    \31\ Estell Comment, Layne Comment, PIABA Comment, Bleecher 
Comment, and Syracuse Comment.
    \32\ Id.
    \33\ Id.
    \34\ Id.
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    Fourth, several commenters contend that the new panel request 
provision would create a disincentive for arbitrators to make a mid-
case referral, because to do so would result in their likely removal 
from the case.\35\
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    \35\ Ledbetter Comment, Stephens Comment and Ryder Comment.
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    Finally, several commenters noted that it would be unlikely that 
arbitrators would learn of a serious, ongoing, or imminent threat 
during the discovery phase of a case because the type of evidence 
needed to support a mid-case referral is not typically provided during 
discovery.\36\ According to these commenters, arbitrators generally do 
not receive information or evidence during the discovery phase of a 
case.\37\ Therefore, the rules would impact only arbitrations in which 
hearings have begun.\38\
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    \36\ Estell Comment, Layne Comment, PIABA Comment, and Bleecher 
Comment.
    \37\ Id.
    \38\ Id.
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    Several commenters supported FINRA's efforts to enhance enforcement 
to thwart ongoing frauds and thus supported the concept of FINRA 
amending its rules to broaden arbitrators' authority to make mid-case 
referrals.\39\ In their comments, they indicated or implied that if the 
proposal did not contain the new panel request provision, they could 
support the proposal.\40\ These commenters questioned FINRA's concern 
that arbitrators may be perceived as biased once an arbitrator makes a 
mid-case referral, and that this bias could be grounds to vacate an 
award rendered by the panel in place at the time of the referral. 
Several \41\ commenters cited relevant case law, which supports the 
view that arbitrators are permitted to form opinions based on the 
evidence presented to them after they are appointed, and an award would 
not be vacated because arbitrators developed their views prior to the 
conclusion of the proceedings.\42\
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    \39\ Stephens Comment, Steiner Comment, Ledbetter Comment, and 
Cornell Comment.
    \40\ Id.
    \41\ Stephens Comment, Ledbetter Comment, and Davis Comment. The 
Davis Comment opposes the proposal.
    \42\ See, e.g., Spector v. Torenberg, 852 F. Supp. 201, 209 
(S.D.N.Y. 1994) (citing Ballantine Books Inc., 302 F.2d at 21).
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    FINRA agrees that the new panel request provision may have the 
unintended consequences of providing parties who would be the subject 
of the referral with a tool to delay the outcome of an arbitration, 
increase significantly claimants' costs, and create a disincentive for 
arbitrators to make mid-case referrals. As these potential effects were 
not FINRA's intent, FINRA is proposing to replace the original proposal 
in its entirety with the amended proposal, which would remove the new 
panel request provision and establish new referral criteria to reduce 
the potential for a finding of arbitrator bias should an arbitrator 
make a mid-case referral.
    The amended proposal would retain the requirement that the Director 
notify parties of a mid-case referral, but would eliminate the new 
panel request. By removing the new panel request mechanism, the amended 
proposal could reduce the possibility that an entire panel would be 
removed from an arbitration case before it has concluded. Thus, it is 
less likely that the case would have to start over again if an 
arbitrator makes a mid-case referral.\43\ Therefore, the customer would 
be less likely to experience procedural disadvantages, significant 
delays, and increased costs of starting the arbitration anew.
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    \43\ Accordingly, the fee waiver provisions that would have 
compensated a claimant for hearings conducted prior to the referral 
in the original proposal are no longer warranted, and have not been 
included in the amended proposal.
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    In place of the new panel request, FINRA would permit the parties 
to request that the referring arbitrators recuse themselves. As the 
Codes currently provide, any party may ask arbitrators to recuse 
themselves from the panel for good cause, and the arbitrators, who are 
the subject of the request, decide such requests. \44\ FINRA believes 
this element of the amended proposal would provide those parties, who 
believe the referring arbitrators are biased by making a mid-case 
referral, with the opportunity to challenge the arbitrators' 
neutrality. However, unlike the original proposal, the arbitrators 
would not be required to withdraw from the case.\45\
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    \44\ Supra note 12.
    \45\ An arbitrator is not precluded from developing views 
regarding the merits of a dispute early in the proceedings, and an 
award will not be vacated because he expresses those views. 
Ballantine Books Inc., 302 F.2d at 21.
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    Even though case law supports the view that arbitrators are 
permitted to form opinions based on the evidence presented to them 
after they are appointed, FINRA is proposing new criteria in its 
amended proposal to minimize the potential for a finding of arbitrator 
bias in the event of a mid-case referral. First, FINRA would lower the 
proposed threshold of certainty to require that the arbitrators believe 
that there is an indication of an ongoing or imminent threat that 
requires immediate action, rather than conclude that there is a fraud, 
as the original proposal would have required.
    Second, the proposed rules would limit a mid-case referral to 
information learned during a hearing. FINRA agrees with the commenters 
that a mid-case referral should be based on information learned during 
a hearing, so that the referral would be based on evidence presented by 
the parties. As case law suggests, arbitrators are permitted, indeed 
even expected, to form opinions based on the evidence presented to them 
after they are appointed, and such an expression of those views would 
not be considered proof of bias.\46\
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    \46\ Health Services Management Corp. v. Hughes, 975 F.2d 1253, 
1267 (7th Cir. 1992).
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    Third, the amended proposal would provide only the President or 
Director with the authority to determine whether to forward a mid-case 
referral to other FINRA divisions. This requirement would insulate the 
referring arbitrator from having to conclude definitively that there 
was ongoing or imminent investor harm before making a mid-case 
referral.
    Last, the amended proposal would add new language urging 
arbitrators to weigh the need to make a referral immediately, rather 
than waiting until the case is over, when an arbitration case is close 
to completion. FINRA believes providing arbitrators with express 
discretion to consider the timing of the mid-case referral and the 
stage of the arbitration proceeding would minimize the impact of the 
proposal on those customers whose hearings are almost completed.
    FINRA believes these modifications would address concerns raised by 
comments filed with the SEC in response to the original proposal and 
minimize the potential burdens on investor-claimants, while still 
achieving its regulatory goals.

[[Page 45636]]

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 
Commission Action

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or within such longer period (i) As the Commission may 
designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to 
be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to 
which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:
    (A) By order approve or disapprove such proposed rule change, or
    (B) Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be disapproved.

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. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an e-mail to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-FINRA-2010-036 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-FINRA-2010-036. This 
file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. 
To help the Commission process and review your comments more 
efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all 
comments on the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). 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 Web site 
viewing and printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F 
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between 
the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be 
available for inspection and copying at the principal office of FINRA. 
All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission 
does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You 
should submit only information that you wish to make available 
publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-FINRA-2010-036 
and should be submitted on or before August 19, 2011.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\47\
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    \47\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-19193 Filed 7-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P