SEBI

SAT’s Verdict in FCRPL & others V. SEBI: Setting the dust on interpretation of generally available information in Insider Trading Cases

Introduction:

For any information to be classified as unpublished price sensitive information (“UPSI”), it should primarily satisfy the following three criteria, (1) It should relate to the company or its securities, directly or indirectly, (2) It should not be generally available, and (3) There should be a likelihood of the information materially affecting the price of the securities. Generally available information is information available in the public domain (on a non-discriminatory basis). Basis this, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) analyses and identifies whether information can be termed as UPSI and classifies whether trades conducted by Insiders[1] are in violation of the SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015 (“2015 PIT Regulations”).Continue Reading SAT’s Verdict in FCRPL & others V. SEBI: Settling the dust on interpretation of Generally Available Information in Insider Trading Cases

Background

  • SEBI recently notified the SEBI (Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism) (Amendment) Regulations, 2023, and issued a Master Circular for Online Resolution of Disputes in the Indian Securities Market (‘ODR Master Circular’), extending the conciliation and arbitration mechanism administered by Market Infrastructure Intermediaries (‘MII’) to all specified intermediaries/ regulated entities. Prior to this, MII’s dispute resolution mechanism only covered stock-brokers, depository participants, listed companies and registrars and transfer agents. Investors embroiled in disputes with any other intermediary did not have recourse to this mechanism, but the ODR Master Circular extends it to other intermediaries to streamline the dispute resolution process. Further, the erstwhile system was largely physical, with some online adaptations brought about during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a progressive measure and in line with the recommendations of the committee constituted by the Niti Aayog under Justice Sikri, the dispute resolution process will now be online.

Continue Reading Resolving Securities Disputes in the Digital Age: A Primer on SEBI’s Master Circular for Online Resolution of Disputes in the Indian Securities Market