Online Dispute Resolution

Programs that offer procedures for settling disputes that combine traditional alternative dispute resolution modalities (arbitration, mediation, negotiation) with Internet technology, allowing parties to a dispute to discuss and reach a resolution without having to meet in person. Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), like other alternative dispute resolution methods, does not involve a court, judge or jury in the decision process, and can often be done entirely through email, videoconferencing or both. ODR is seen as attractive because it may be faster, cheaper and more convenient than other methods, allows parties in different locations or countries to avoid the cost and inconvenience of travel and may be attractive to people conducting business using e-commerce transactions. Some applications are fully automated websites that are available to both parties to a dispute (or their insurers), generally for the purpose of exchanging offers, but most such tools are limited to handling disputes where the amount of the settlement is the only unresolved issue.