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Online Dispute Resolution in E-Commerce: Is Consensus in Regulation UNCITRAL’s Utopian Idea or a Realistic Ambition?

Sampani, C., 2021. Online Dispute Resolution in E-Commerce: Is Consensus in Regulation UNCITRAL’s Utopian Idea or a Realistic Ambition? Information and Communications Technology Law, 30 (3), 235-254.

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DOI: 10.1080/13600834.2021.1875539

Abstract

The rigorous deliberations of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law to create a global regulatory framework for Online Dispute Resolution have failed to generate a consensus. This paper analyses whether UNCITRAL’s ambition to develop an inclusive ODR regulatory platform has considered the complexities of cutting across cultural boundaries and power (im)balances. The objective here is to challenge UNCITRAL’s assumption that technology’s a-territorial nature facilitates homogeneity in ODR. To this end, the paper examines the implications of globalisation and the evolution of diverse cultures on ODR and proposes that an alternative approach is needed to combine cosmopolitan and legal pluralism in developing a platform trusted by all disputing parties. The author argues that the focus of contemporary research should extend to consider commonalities across and between national, regional and global levels of governance when regulating for ODR. The paper’s findings will inform policy makers and regulators, including UNCITRAL, when considering the role and interaction of various stakeholders when developing an ODR framework. The significance of this article lies in bringing out that the creation of a regulatory ODR framework needs to be more finely nuanced due to its nature as a normative and legal hybrid.

Item Type:Article
ISSN:1360-0834
Uncontrolled Keywords:Online Dispute Resolution; e-commerce; technology; regulation; culture; cosmopolitanism; globalisation; UNCITRAL
Group:Faculty of Media & Communication
ID Code:35060
Deposited By: Symplectic RT2
Deposited On:18 Jan 2021 14:42
Last Modified:05 Aug 2022 01:08

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