Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Motions in Arbitration, 9840-9841 [2011-3800]

Download as PDF 9840 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 35 / Tuesday, February 22, 2011 / Notices should be submitted on or before March 15, 2011. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.9 Cathy H. Ahn, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–3799 Filed 2–18–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–63910; File No. SR–FINRA– 2011–006] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Motions in Arbitration February 15, 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 February 4, 2011, 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 substantially prepared by FINRA. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change FINRA is proposing to amend FINRA Rules 12206, 12503, and 12504 of the Code of Arbitration Procedure for Customer Disputes, and Rules 13206, 13503, and 13504 of the Code of Arbitration Procedure for Industry Disputes (collectively, ‘‘Codes’’), to provide moving parties with a five-day period to reply to responses to motions. The text of the proposed rule change is available on FINRA’s Web site at https://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. The text of these 9 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:51 Feb 18, 2011 Jkt 223001 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 The Codes specify time periods for a party to respond to a motion,3 including a motion to dismiss.4 They do not expressly provide time periods for the party that made the original motion (the ‘‘moving party’’) to reply to a response, which happens on occasion. FINRA’s practice has been to forward the reply to the arbitrators, even when staff already have sent the motion and response to the arbitrators. Since the Codes do not prescribe a time period for replying to responses to motions, there have been instances where arbitrators reviewed the motion papers and even ruled on a motion before receiving a reply, causing confusion and wasting time. FINRA is proposing to amend Rules 12206 and 13206 (Time Limits), Rules 12503 and 13503 (Motions), and Rules 12504 and 13504 (Motions to Dismiss), to provide a moving party with a fiveday period to reply to a response to a motion. The proposed amendments would codify FINRA’s practice relating to replies to responses to motions and make it transparent. The proposal would provide parties with an opportunity to brief fully the issues in dispute, and ensure that arbitrators have all of the motion papers before issuing a final decision on the motion. FINRA considered whether codifying a reply period might encourage additional replies to responses to motions, or cause significant delays in the arbitration proceeding. FINRA believes that a five-day period for replies gives moving parties sufficient time to react to responses to motions without causing significant delays to proceedings. Currently, FINRA Rules 12512 and 13512 (Subpoenas) provide moving parties with a 10-day period in which to reply to opposing parties’ objections to motions. FINRA has not 3 Rules 12503(b) and 13503(b) (Responding to Motions) provide, generally, that parties have 10 days from the receipt of a written motion to respond to the motion. 4 Rules 12206(b) and 13206(b) (Dismissal under Rule) provide that parties have 30 days to respond to motions. Rules 12504(a) and 13504(a) (Motions to Dismiss Prior to Conclusion of Case in Chief) provide that parties have 45 days to respond to motions. PO 00000 Frm 00101 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 experienced any increase in replies related to subpoenas because of these rules and the 10-day reply period has not caused significant delays. Further, on June 21, 2010, FINRA revised its practice relating to responses to motions and published a Notice to Parties on its Web site stating that moving parties have five calendar days from receipt of a response to a motion to submit a reply to the response.5 After the five-day period, FINRA forwards the motion, any response to the motion, and any reply to the panel at the same time. If FINRA receives a reply after the fiveday period expires, staff forwards the reply to the panel upon its receipt. However, FINRA staff does not delay sending the motion, response to the motion, and reply to the panel after the five-day period expires, and the panel may issue a decision upon receipt of those documents. Based on our experience with the subpoena rules and our revised practice relating to replies to responses, FINRA does not expect the proposal to add a five-day period for replies to responses to motions to result in undue delays. FINRA proposes to announce the effective date of the proposed rule change in a Regulatory Notice to be published no later than 60 days following Commission approval. The effective date will be 30 days following publication of the Regulatory Notice announcing Commission approval. 2. Statutory Basis FINRA believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,6 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. FINRA believes that the proposed rule change will assist parties in arbitrations by codifying FINRA’s practice relating to replies to responses to motions. The proposed rule change would ensure that parties have an opportunity to brief fully the issues in dispute, and that arbitrators have all of the motion papers before issuing a final decision on the motion. 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 5 See https://www.finra.org/ArbitrationMediation/ Parties/ArbitrationProcess/NoticesToParties/ P121652. 6 15 U.S.C. 78o–3(b)(6). E:\FR\FM\22FEN1.SGM 22FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 35 / Tuesday, February 22, 2011 / Notices 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 Written comments were neither solicited nor received. 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 shall: (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: mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–FINRA–2011–006 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–2011–006. 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 (https://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 VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:51 Feb 18, 2011 Jkt 223001 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–2011–006 and should be submitted on or before March 15, 2011. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.7 Cathy H. Ahn, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–3800 Filed 2–18–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–63916; File No. SR–BATS– 2011–005] Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend BATS Rule 11.13, Entitled ‘‘Order Execution’’ February 15, 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 February 14, 2011, BATS Exchange, Inc. (‘‘BATS’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. BATS has designated the proposed rule change as constituting a rule change under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the Act,3 which renders the proposal effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. 7 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 1 15 PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 9841 I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend BATS Rule 11.13, entitled ‘‘Order Execution,’’ to modify the description of the SLIM routing strategy offered by the Exchange. The Exchange proposes to implement the proposed rule change on February 25, 2011, or as soon thereafter as practicable. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange 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 Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 11.13, which describes its order routing processes, to modify the description of the SLIM routing strategy offered by the Exchange. Currently, various routing strategies are available through BATS, including the SLIM routing strategy. As described in Rule 11.13(a)(3)(H), SLIM is a routing option under which an order will check the System for available shares, will be routed to BATS Y–Exchange, Inc. (‘‘BYX’’),4 and then will be sent to destinations on the System routing table. The Exchange currently allows a User 5 to designate whether an order routed through the TRIM routing strategy should check the Exchange’s order book before routing away. This optional initial check of the Exchange’s order book is not currently available for SLIM, but rather SLIM routed orders always check the Exchange’s order book before routing away. The Exchange 4 BYX is a registered national securities exchange and affiliate of the Exchange. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34–62716 (August 13, 2010), 75 FR 51295 (August 19, 2010) (order approving application of BATS Y–Exchange, Inc. for registration as a national securities exchange). BYX commenced operations on October 15, 2010. 5 As defined in Rule 1.5(cc), the term ‘‘User’’ means any Member or Sponsored Participant who is authorized to obtain access to the System pursuant to BATS Rule 11.3. E:\FR\FM\22FEN1.SGM 22FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 22, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9840-9841]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-3800]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-63910; File No. SR-FINRA-2011-006]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory 
Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Relating to 
Motions in Arbitration

February 15, 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 February 4, 2011, 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 substantially prepared by 
FINRA. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on 
the proposed rule change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    FINRA is proposing to amend FINRA Rules 12206, 12503, and 12504 of 
the Code of Arbitration Procedure for Customer Disputes, and Rules 
13206, 13503, and 13504 of the Code of Arbitration Procedure for 
Industry Disputes (collectively, ``Codes''), to provide moving parties 
with a five-day period to reply to responses to motions.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on FINRA's Web 
site at https://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. 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
    The Codes specify time periods for a party to respond to a 
motion,\3\ including a motion to dismiss.\4\ They do not expressly 
provide time periods for the party that made the original motion (the 
``moving party'') to reply to a response, which happens on occasion. 
FINRA's practice has been to forward the reply to the arbitrators, even 
when staff already have sent the motion and response to the 
arbitrators. Since the Codes do not prescribe a time period for 
replying to responses to motions, there have been instances where 
arbitrators reviewed the motion papers and even ruled on a motion 
before receiving a reply, causing confusion and wasting time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Rules 12503(b) and 13503(b) (Responding to Motions) provide, 
generally, that parties have 10 days from the receipt of a written 
motion to respond to the motion.
    \4\ Rules 12206(b) and 13206(b) (Dismissal under Rule) provide 
that parties have 30 days to respond to motions. Rules 12504(a) and 
13504(a) (Motions to Dismiss Prior to Conclusion of Case in Chief) 
provide that parties have 45 days to respond to motions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FINRA is proposing to amend Rules 12206 and 13206 (Time Limits), 
Rules 12503 and 13503 (Motions), and Rules 12504 and 13504 (Motions to 
Dismiss), to provide a moving party with a five-day period to reply to 
a response to a motion. The proposed amendments would codify FINRA's 
practice relating to replies to responses to motions and make it 
transparent. The proposal would provide parties with an opportunity to 
brief fully the issues in dispute, and ensure that arbitrators have all 
of the motion papers before issuing a final decision on the motion.
    FINRA considered whether codifying a reply period might encourage 
additional replies to responses to motions, or cause significant delays 
in the arbitration proceeding. FINRA believes that a five-day period 
for replies gives moving parties sufficient time to react to responses 
to motions without causing significant delays to proceedings. 
Currently, FINRA Rules 12512 and 13512 (Subpoenas) provide moving 
parties with a 10-day period in which to reply to opposing parties' 
objections to motions. FINRA has not experienced any increase in 
replies related to subpoenas because of these rules and the 10-day 
reply period has not caused significant delays.
    Further, on June 21, 2010, FINRA revised its practice relating to 
responses to motions and published a Notice to Parties on its Web site 
stating that moving parties have five calendar days from receipt of a 
response to a motion to submit a reply to the response.\5\ After the 
five-day period, FINRA forwards the motion, any response to the motion, 
and any reply to the panel at the same time. If FINRA receives a reply 
after the five-day period expires, staff forwards the reply to the 
panel upon its receipt. However, FINRA staff does not delay sending the 
motion, response to the motion, and reply to the panel after the five-
day period expires, and the panel may issue a decision upon receipt of 
those documents.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See https://www.finra.org/ArbitrationMediation/Parties/ArbitrationProcess/NoticesToParties/P121652.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on our experience with the subpoena rules and our revised 
practice relating to replies to responses, FINRA does not expect the 
proposal to add a five-day period for replies to responses to motions 
to result in undue delays.
    FINRA proposes to announce the effective date of the proposed rule 
change in a Regulatory Notice to be published no later than 60 days 
following Commission approval. The effective date will be 30 days 
following publication of the Regulatory Notice announcing Commission 
approval.
2. Statutory Basis
    FINRA believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
provisions of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,\6\ 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. FINRA believes that the proposed rule change will 
assist parties in arbitrations by codifying FINRA's practice relating 
to replies to responses to motions. The proposed rule change would 
ensure that parties have an opportunity to brief fully the issues in 
dispute, and that arbitrators have all of the motion papers before 
issuing a final decision on the motion.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 9841]]

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

    Written comments were neither solicited nor received.

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 shall:
    (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 (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-FINRA-2011-006 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-2011-006. 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 (https://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-2011-006 
and should be submitted on or before March 15, 2011.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cathy H. Ahn,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-3800 Filed 2-18-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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