Monday, July 2, 2012
FINRA Launches Pilot Program for Large Arbitration Cases
FINRA announced the launch of a pilot program specifically designed for large arbitration cases involving claims of $10 million or more. The program enables parties to customize the administrative process to better suit special needs of a larger case and allows them to bypass certain FINRA arbitration rules. Participation in the pilot program, which began today, is voluntary and open to all cases; but in order to be eligible, all parties will be required to pay for any additional costs of the program and must be represented by counsel.
FINRA gives some examples how parties may customize the process:
have additional control over the method of arbitrator appointment and the qualifications of arbitrators;
hire non-FINRA arbitrators for their case;
develop their own procedures for exchanging information prior to the hearing;
have expanded discovery options such as depositions and interrogatories; and
choose from a wider selection of facilities.
https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/securities/2012/07/finra-launches-pilot-program-for-large-arbitration-cases.html