Proposed Rule Change to Amend the Codes of Arbitration Procedure to Increase Arbitrator Honoraria by Increasing Arbitration Filing Fees, Member Surcharges and Process Fees and Hearing Session Fees

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA") is filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC" or "Commission") a proposed rule change to amend the Code of Arbitration Procedure for Customer Disputes ("Customer Code") and the Code of Arbitration Procedure for Industry Disputes ("Industry Code") (together, "Codes") to increase arbitration filing fees, member surcharges and process fees, and hearing session fees for the primary purpose of increasing arbitrator honoraria. Specifically, the proposed rule change would amend Rules 12214 (Payment of Arbitrators), 12800 (Simplified Arbitration), 12900 (Fees Due When a Claim is Filed), 12901 (Member Surcharge), 12902 (Hearing Session Fees, and Other Costs and Expenses), and 12903 (Process Fees Paid by Members) of the Customer Code. The proposed rule change would also amend Rules 13214 (Payment of Arbitrators), 13800 (Simplified Arbitration), 13900 (Fees Due When a Claim is Filed), 13901 (Member Surcharge), 13902 (Hearing Session Fees, and Other Costs and Expenses), and 13903 (Process Fees Paid by Members) of the Industry Code.

Relevant fees and arbitrator honoraria for cases filed prior to December 15, 2014 are accessible through the “Versions” dropdown menu found to the immediate right of each rule title and text:

• Customer Code (Part II – General Arbitration Rules and Part IX Fees and Awards)
• Industry Code (Part II – General Arbitration Rules and Part IX Fees and Awards)