Yesterday the SEC approved a FINRA-proposed rule change to raise the cap for Simplified Arbitration claims (i.e., paper hearings) from $25,000 to $50,000. As I wrote in a comment letter filed in support of the rule change proposal, which the SEC quoted in its approval order, the higher claim limit should “benefit investors by enhancing … Continue reading SEC Approves Rule Change to Raise the Cap for FINRA Simplified Arbitration Claims to $50,000 →

In January, I reported here that FINRA had filed a rule change proposal with the SEC to amend FINRA Dispute Resolution’s Code of Arbitration Procedure to clarify that collective actions are not arbitrable in the forum.  The SEC granted accelerated approval earlier this month.  The approval order explains that FINRA amended slightly its proposal in response … Continue reading SEC Approves FINRA Proposal to Exempt Collective Actions from FINRA Arbitration →

On Saturday, Feb. 25, the Harvard Negotiation Law Review is sponsoring a symposium entitled “Does ADR Work? Evaluating the Effectiveness of Alternative Dispute Resolution.”  Here is the symposium announcement: Saturday, February 25th Check-in at 9:30 AM • Reception to Follow at 5:00 PM 1515 Massachusetts Avenue • Cambridge, MA 02138 • Austin Hall, North Classroom  Keynote … Continue reading Harvard Negotiation Law Review Symposium on ADR Effectiveness →

On Wednesday, Feb. 22, Penn State Law will host a symposium entitled “U.S. Arbitration Law in the wake of AT&T Mobility v. Concepcion.”  Here is the announcement: The 2011 Supreme Court decision in AT&T Mobility v. Concepcion last year has potentially changed the legal landscape in a number of areas including class actions and arbitration … Continue reading Penn State Law Symposium on AT&T Mobility →

As you may know, a task force of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution’s Law Schools Committee has been working on the Legal Education, ADR, and Problem Solving (LEAPS) Project for almost two years.  (I am a member of that Task Force and on the Executive Committee.) Our goal has been to increase the instruction … Continue reading LEAPSing at your Law School →

In a very interesting development with implications for the fate of class action waivers in the securities dispute context, FINRA Enforcement filed a complaint today against broker-dealer and FINRA member Charles Schwab for including a class action waiver in its customer agreement.  Schwab had amended its customer agreement to include the class action waiver in October … Continue reading FINRA Brings Enforcement Action Against Charles Schwab For Class Action Waiver in its Customer Agreement →

From the Global Arbitration Review (1/16/12): “The world’s first specialist centre to resolve disputes arising from complex financial transactions has opened in The Hague. PRIME Finance – the Panel for Recognised International Market Experts – was declared open for business today by the Dutch minister of finance, Jan Kees de Jager. It will draw on … Continue reading New Dispute Resolution Center for Complex Financial Transactions Opens in The Hague →