The Future of Dispute Resolution: Online ADR and Online Courts

Advances in the capability of technology has seen greater interest in online dispute resolution (ODR) which holds the promise of significantly improving access to justice for many people, including disadvantaged groups. The aim of this article is to provide an introduction to ODR with a focus on design considerations: convenience, expertise, impartiality, fairness and cost. This article draws a distinction between online alternative dispute resolution (OADR) and online courts. While OADR has enormous freedom in relation to design, online courts are constrained by institutional norms and legal requirements derived from the nature of the judicial function. However, both are able to benefit from a clear understanding of the ramifications of the design considerations for effective dispute resolution platforms.