Sebi tweaks framework on investor grievance redressal system, arbitration mechanism

In respect of threshold limit for interim relief paid out of the Investors Protection Fund IPF in stock exchanges, Sebi has laid out a procedure that needs to be undertaken by the bourses in case the order is in favour of a client and the member opts for arbitration wherein the claim value admissible to the client is not over Rs 20 lakh.

Markets regulator Sebi on Friday tweaked the framework about investor grievance redressal system and arbitration mechanism at stock exchanges. The new framework will come into effect from January 1, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said in a circular. The decision, aimed at further enhancing the effectiveness of investor grievance redressal and arbitration mechanism, has been taken after receiving feedback from the stock exchanges. Under the new framework, Sebi said forming an exclusive panel for appellate arbitration is not required and members can serve on both the panels -- arbitration and appellate arbitration. However, the exchanges will have to ensure that in the same matter, the members of the arbitration panel are not considered for constituting the appellate arbitration panel if the matter goes to appeal. Earlier, the regulator had mandated segregation of arbitration and appellate arbitration panels. Concerning the place of arbitration, Sebi said in case the award amount is more than Rs 50 lakh, the next level of proceedings (arbitration or appellate arbitration) may take place at the nearest metro city if so desired by any of the parties involved. The additional statutory cost for arbitration, if any, will be borne by the party desirous of shifting the place of arbitration. In respect of the threshold limit for interim relief paid out of the Investors Protection Fund (IPF) in stock exchanges, Sebi has laid out a procedure that needs to be undertaken by the bourses in case the order is in favor of a client and the member opts for arbitration wherein the claim value admissible to the client is not over Rs 20 lakh. In case the grievance redressal committee (GRC) order is in favor of the client, then 50 percent of the admissible claim value or Rs 2 lakh, whichever is less, will be released to the client from IPF of the stock exchange. In case the arbitration award is in favor of the client and the member opts for appellate arbitration, then a positive difference of 50 percent of the amount mentioned in the arbitration award or Rs 3 lakh, whichever is less, along with the amount already released to the client as mentioned above, will be released to the client from IPF of the stock exchange. In case the appellate arbitration award is in favor of the client and the member opts for making an application to set aside the appellate arbitration award, then 75 percent of the amount mentioned in the appellate arbitration award or Rs 5 lakh, whichever is less, and the amount already released to the client under the above mentioned two clauses will be released to the client.

The total amount released to the client through the facility of interim relief from IPF should not exceed Rs 10 lakh in a financial year, Sebi said.

''The additional fees charged from the trading members, if the claim is filed beyond the prescribed timeline, if any, to be deposited in the IPF of the respective stock exchange,'' it added. In a separate circular, Sebi said stock exchanges will have to ensure that once a member has been declared a defaulter, the claim will be placed before the Member Core Settlement Guarantee Fund Committee (MCSGFC, the erstwhile Defaulters' Committee) for sanction and ratification. The committee's advice concerning legitimate claims will be sent to the IPF Trust for disbursement of the amount immediately. In case the claim amount is more than the coverage limit under IPF or the amount sanctioned and ratified by the MCSGFC is less than the claim amount, then the investor will be at liberty to prefer for arbitration outside the exchange mechanism or any other legal forum for the claim of the balance amount.

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