01-31565. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of a Proposed Rule Change by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. To Extend the Effectiveness of the Pilot Injunctive Relief Rule

December 18, 2001.

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 December 7, 2001, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD” or “Association”), through its wholly-owned subsidiary NASD Dispute Resolution, Inc. (“NASD Dispute Resolution”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) a proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by NASD Dispute Resolution. For the reasons discussed below, the Commission is publishing this notice is solicit comments on the proposed rule change and to approve the proposal on an accelerated basis.

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

NASD Dispute Resolution is proposing to amend Rule 10335 of the Code of Arbitration (“Code”) of the NASD, to extend the pilot injunctive relief rule for six months, pending Commission action on a pending rule filing, SR-NASD-00-02, to amend Rule 10335 and make it a permanent part of the Code. Below is the text of the proposed rule change. Proposed new language is in italics; proposed deletions are in brackets.

1000. Code of Arbitration Procedure

* * *

10335. Injunctions

(a)-(h) Unchanged.

(i) Effective Date.

This Rule shall apply to arbitration claims filed on or after January 3, 1996. Except as otherwise provided in this Rule, the remaining provisions of the Code shall apply to proceedings instituted under this Rule. This Rule shall expire on [January 4, 2002] July 1, 20002, unless extended by the Association's Board of Governors.

* * *

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 Dispute Resolution 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 III below. NASD Dispute Resolution 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

I. Purpose

Rule 10335, the NASD's pilot injunctive relief rule, provides procedures for obtaining interim injunctive relief in controversies involving member firms and associated persons in arbitration. The rule has primarily been used in “raiding cases,” or cases involving the transfer of an employee from one firm to another firm. Rule 10335 took effect on January 3, 1996, for a one-year pilot period. The SEC has periodically extended the initial pilot period in order to permit the NASD to assess the effectiveness of the rule. The pilot rule is currently due to expire on January 4, 2002.^[3]

NASD Dispute Resolution believes that it is in the interest of members and associated persons that the effectiveness of the pilot rule remain uninterrupted pending final Commission action on SR-NASD-00-02. Therefore, NASD Dispute Resolution believes that the pilot rule should be extended to July 1, 2002, or such earlier time as permitted by Commission action on the permanent rule filing, which makes clear that, if approved, the amended rule would supersede the pilot rule in its entirety.

2. Statutory Basis

NASD Dispute Resolution believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,^[4] which requires, among other things, that the Association's rules 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.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

NASD Dispute Resolution 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

No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change.

III. 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.^[5] 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-2001-89 and should be submitted by January 16, 2002.

IV. Commission Findings and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change

NASD Dispute Resolution has requested that the Commission find good cause pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) ^[6] for approving the proposed rule change prior to the 30th day after publication in the Federal Register. The Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to the NASD and, in particular, the requirements of Section 15A of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.^[7] Rule 10335 is intended to provide a pilot system within the NASD arbitration forum to process request for temporary injunctive relief. Rule 10335 is intended principally to facilitate the disposition of employment disputes, and related disputes, concerning members who file for injunctive relief to prevent registered representatives from transferring their client accounts to their new firms.

The Commission finds good cause for approving the proposed rule change prior to the 30th day after the date of publication of notice of filing thereof in that accelerated approval will permit members to have the benefit of injunctive relief in arbitration pending Commission action on the rule filing proposing to amend Rule 10335 and make it a permanent part of the Code.^[8] The Commission believes, therefore, that granting accelerated approval of the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 15A of the Act.^[9]

It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,^[10] that the proposed rule change (SR-NASD-2001-89) is approved on an acclerated basis through July 1, 2002.

For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.^[11]

Margaret H. McFarland,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  On January 12, 2000, NASD Regulation, Inc. filed a proposed rule filing, SR-NASD-00-02 to amend Rule 10335 and to make it a permanent part of the Code. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 42606 (April 3, 2000), 65 FR 18405 (April 7, 2000) (File No. NASD-00-02). The NASD has amended the rule filing on several occasions, most recently on August 9, 2001. The most recent amendments were published for comment on October 25, 2001. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 44950 (October 18, 2001), 66 FR 54041 (October 25, 2001).

4.  15 U.S.C. 78 o-3(b)(6).

5.  In reviewing this proposal, the Commission has considered its impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).

6.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

7.  15 U.S.C. 78 o-3.

8.  See supra note 3.

9.  15 U.S.C. 78 o-3

10.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

11.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12)