THE ONGOING EXPANSION OF ONLINE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Over the last decade, online dispute resolution has evolved from a niche mechanism for resolving low-value e-commerce disputes into a sophisticated and increasingly important component of the global dispute resolution landscape.
Initially developed to address the growing volume of online consumer transactions, online dispute resolution has expanded significantly alongside advances in digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and secure communication platforms. Today, it supports the resolution of a broad range of disputes, including consumer and commercial disagreements, employment matters, financial services disputes and cross-border conflicts.
Virtual mediation, digital arbitration hearings and secure document exchange systems are enabling parties to resolve disputes more efficiently across jurisdictions. However, while these tools can increase accessibility and reduce costs, they can also be a double-edged sword, introducing new operational and cyber security risks that parties, organisations and practitioners must be aware of. As a result, careful consideration must be given to how digital platforms can be used effectively while maintaining procedural integrity and protecting sensitive information.
Why online dispute resolution is gaining ground
A wide range of factors has driven the online dispute resolution revolution in recent years, most notably the convergence of technological innovation, changing business needs and evolving user expectations. The expansion of digital commerce, particularly cross-border transactions, has created ideal conditions for online dispute resolution to flourish, generating demand for processes that are faster, more accessible and more cost-effective than traditional litigation.
Oct-Dec 2026 issue
Richard Summerfield