9137. Filing of Papers: Signature Requirement and Effect

This rule is no longer applicable. NASD Rule 9137 has been superseded by FINRA Rule 9137. Please consult the appropriate FINRA Rule.

(a) General Requirements

Following the issuance of a complaint in a disciplinary proceeding, or the initiation of another proceeding, every filing of a Party represented by counsel or a representative shall be signed by at least one counsel or representative of record in his or her name and shall state the business address and telephone number of such counsel or representative. A Party who appears on his or her own behalf shall sign his or her individual name and state his or her address and telephone number on every filing.

(b) Effect of Signature

(1) The signature of a counsel, representative, or Party shall constitute a certification that:

(A) the person signing the filing has read the filing;

(B) to the best of his or her knowledge, information, and belief, formed after reasonable inquiry, the filing is well grounded in fact and is warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law; and

(C) the filing is not made for any improper purpose, such as to harass, cause unnecessary delay, or needlessly to increase the cost of adjudication.

(2) If a filing is not signed, an Adjudicator may strike the filing, unless it is signed promptly after the omission is called to the attention of the person making the filing.

Adopted by SR-NASD-97-28 eff. Aug. 7, 1997.