• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.25-46
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• 2015

Cross-border consumer disputes are on the increase as cross-border trade between consumers and businesses continues to grow. Cross-border consumer disputes are difficult to solve, because there are different languages, laws and institutions between the parties. These consumer disputes can be solved more easily by Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) in comparison with utilizing court processes. ODR is a branch of dispute resolution which uses technology to facilitate the resolution of disputes between parties. It primarily involves negotiation, mediation or arbitration, or a combination of all three. In this respect it is often seen as being the online equivalent of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). On 18 June 2013, the new legislation on Alternative Dispute Resolution and Online Dispute Resolution has been published - the "Directive on Consumer ADR and Regulation on Consumer ODR". The new legislation on ADR and ODR will allow consumers and traders to solve their disputes without going to court, in a quick, low-cost and simple way. The United Nations working group for online dispute resolution of cross-border electronic commerce transactions (UNCITRAL Working Group III) has been underway since 2010 to continue its work on procedural rules for ODR.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.121-140
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• 2019

First, the purpose of this research is to review the Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) regulations in Korea to resolve disputes which can arise in international e-commerce in the near future. Second, this research tries to look for alternative solutions to dispute resolutions according to these regulations. Third, this research pursues to enhance the effectiveness of business deals by providing efficient and satisfactory dispute resolution methods for e-commerce business. Furthermore, this study evaluates the definition of global e-commerce by comparing Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) with Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Through analyzing the domestic ODR system and ADR system, this research could boost the employment of settlements in small-sized disputes through easy and convenient consumer access to both ODR and ADR procedures. The enhancement of the competitiveness of Korean companies in the global market is estimated to take place as a result. This research is estimated to provide benefits to our businesses both domestically and internationally by using ODR regulations and ADR methods. Moreover, this research is anticipated to verify usefulness in terms of consumer protection by advancing consumers' access to dispute solution authorities locally and abroad.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.3-23
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• 2015

As the Internet rapidly emerges as a speedy and cost-effective way of purchasing goods from overseas websites, the number of disputes arising out of overseas direct purchases also increases. In such situations, a disgruntled consumer might be left without an effective remedy. Providing an alternative approach to redress such grievances might assist in resolving such disputes and in increasing consumer confidence in e-commerce. Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) will allow consumers to solve their disputes without going to court, in a quick, low-cost, and simple way. It also helps to eliminate complex jurisdictional and choice-of-law problems. On the other hand, it has many problems such as having inadequate confidentiality and security, not being able to meet the "writing" requirement for arbitration of disputes, having difficulty in enforcing online arbitration agreements, having difficulties in enforcing online decisions and so on. This article investigates relationship online disputes and ODR and suggests ways that ODR can work best in resolving disputes arising out of overseas direct purchases. To expand the ODR system in online disputes, it is very important for domestic consumers to recognize the concept and usefulness of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and ODR systems. The Korean government must also help consumers recognize the ADR mechanisms of dispute resolution by public campaign advertisement of ADR systems. Further education of dispute resolution in higher educational institutions is also required as well as assisting the KCAB with funds and the establishment of ADR Law.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.279-293
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• 2008

The number of participants in an online dispute resolution(ODR) system is crucial to its survival. Securing participation is nonetheless difficult. Clearly, it is important to offer a system that is fair, transparent and offers an efficient service at low cost. These factors are fundamental to ensure trust and to build a returning customer base to the system, but are not what attracts a party to submit a dispute for settlement. This paper describes and discusses four main categories of legal measures found in the online dispute resolution services offered by SquareTrade and WIPO. In spite of shortcomings in the offered, the legal measures have contributed to attract large numbers of participants. Large participation secures the long-term economic viability of an online dispute resolution system. The four categories of legal measures described and discussed in this paper need to be part of the specifications and the design and development of future ODR system.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.107-131
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• 2013

Online-ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) has been receiving attention from the international community as a means of alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes in both small and mass international e-commerce. The EU Parliament and the Council proposed the Online Dispute Resolution Regulation for Consumer Disputes (hereafter, "EU Consumer ODR Regulation") and the Directive on Alternative Dispute Resolution of Consumer Disputes (hereafter, "EU Consumer ADR Directive") as a legislative package, now scheduled to be adopted. Those efforts strengthen consumer protection by enhancing ODR in international e-commerce and improving of the functions of the e-commerce market. The EU Consumer ADR and ODR regulation package will operate in conjunction with the ODR platform as a single point across Europe, abandoning the ADR system of each member. Consumers and traders who need dispute resolution apply on the EU ODR platform linked website, and the applications are distributed to individual ADR institutions in accordance with the Rules and Procedure of ADR institutions in the respective country. Although there has been partial progress in Korea for ODR programs such as the establishment of the Online Administrative Trial and the procedures of individual ADR agencies operating through the website, existing norms do not fully support the system. At this point, we see many implications of the EU Consumer ADR and ODR regulation package on the direction chosen for domestic ADR and ODR policy and legislation. This study introduces the main features and content of the EU Consumer ADR Directive (draft) and ODR Regulation provisions, and describes the direction of domestic policy and legislation regarding Online-ADR.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.277-295
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• 2007

This paper presents the ODR phenomenon with a specific focus on regulatory problems. It argues that the current regulatory framework for online dispute resolution is, to a large extent, defective. Existing deficiencies result not only from a lack of comprehensive ODR law, but also from the weakness of the other modalities of regulation : norms and market. The current today's approach to regulating ODR has been unsuccessful, and it is time to re-examine that position. I would like to say that suggesting details of the optimal ODR regulatory framework is beyond the scope of this paper. From a broader perspective, the field of ODR seems to be not sufficiently regulated. Neither by law, nor by the restrains set by other norms or market. Given the current weakness of the modalities of regulation, online dispute resolution requires greater institutional and international support. It appears that adoption of internationally harmonized ODR law would not hamper the development of norms and market, but rather support their proper growth. As a result, the co-regulation approach recommended in this paper is different from both traditional state-oriented models of regulation and self-regulatory systems. Arguably, this co-regulation approach is the optimal model for regulation of online dispute resolution under current circumstances.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.219-251
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• 2006

As the scale of electronic commerce increases more and more, disputes in the electronic commerce also happen more frequently. As the development of electronic commerce is difficult without smooth settlement of dispute, the pursue of smooth settlement of dispute is very important. Regarding smooth settlement of dispute, the way of dispute settlement through Online Dispute Resolution(ODR) is pursued positively nowadays. However the responsibility of related parties still remains to complete such system. This paper divides related parties into the parties(seller, buyer), ODR providers, the neutral dispute resolver, and the governments. Later this paper examines the responsibility of related parties. As related parties complete their own responsibility, electronic commerce may develop more and more. Furthermore through the development of electronic commerce all nations will enjoy mutual benefit.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.91-116
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• 2008

E-Commerce constitutes an important part of all commercial activities. Online Alternative Dispute Resolution(Online ADR) or Online Dispute Resolution(ODR) is a new method of dispute, resolution which, is provided online. Most Online ADR services are alternatives to litigation. In this respect, they are the online transposition of the methods developed in the ADR movement such as negotiation, mediation and arbitration. But there are also online courts which are really normal courts in which the contesting parties communicate essentially online. This paper deals with the current operation of Online ADR and the ways to, activate it. They include (1) die establishment of legal stability regarding Online ADR, (2) the enhancement of system security in providing Online ADR services, (3) the introduction of Online ADR service platform for providing the various services through single window on a national, or global basis, and (4) the introduction of Online ADR online monitoring system for systematic dispute resolution services.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.23-41
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• 2004

Rapid development of computer and telecommunication technology brought out the expansion of electronic commerce which is the new type of business transaction. Offline transaction can lead to problems and disputes the same is for cyberspace transactions. However ADR is not meet for the online transaction for speed, cost and open network system, ODR methods to resolve electronic commerce conflicts is crucial for building confidence and permitting access to justice in an online business environment. And ADR refers to processes other than judicial determination in which an impartial person assists those in a dispute to resolve the issues between them. ODR refers to ADR processes assisted by information technology, particularly the internet. ODR has been available since 1996. Its development can be as passing through three broad stages : hobbyist, experimental, entrepreneurial, institutional phrase. Also, ODR has adapted a range of traditional ADR for use online, including arbitration. mediation. facilitated negotiation and case appraisal. Mediation and arbitration have been the most prevalent forms of ODR. ODR is the burgeoning field and has created a new issues. All such issues which have been debated in the ADR are composed with ODR. But these are not limited. Some of issues are further complicated by the nature of the online environment such as confidentiality and principle of parties. Finally electronic commerce now takes place on the Internet, it is inevitable that the commercial world wants access to dispute resolution process that best suits the new commercial environment. ODR methods are processing for development and legal issues are considered by both national and international authorities.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.79-101
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• 2012

In 2010, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) initiated work on the settlement of disputes in international e-commerce through online dispute resolution (ODR). The basic goal is to use ODR to resolve disputes with low value but high volume in international e-commerce. The background is that consumers have no way to solve their legal problems in this area. An ODR system is intended to create a new way to enforce their rights. However, the legal situations of the countries in the e-commerce sector, particularly in consumer protection, are very diverse. Thus, no reasonable model for conflict resolution is available. Some countries consider this as public policy and want absolute protection of their consumers. Other countries want to encourage freer e-commerce trading. This diversity of consumer protection policy is an obstacle to ODR. However, sooner or later, reaching an agreement is feasible because each representative is making a reasonable effort to reach the goal.