“I am pleased to endorse this  extensive and thorough  course of training not only on  knowledge  of ODR , its history, its developments around the world , legislation and issues of justice affected by ODR but at a practical level the course teaches practitioners into adapting their existing skills to the online environment. Whilst there are not as yet any  standards created for training in ODR,  this course , in turning  trainees into ODR experts,  satisfies Continuing Professional Development requirements  for ADR practitioners”.

Professor Ethan Katsh, Director of the National Center for Technology and Dispute Resolution, University of Massachusetts.

WHY TRAIN IN ODR?

The first answer to that question is that there is a much bigger world out there as a marketplace  for your ADR skills and services  than those who can  only attend a mediation or other ADR session in person. Moreover ODR tools (such as those that assist and encourage the parties to reach resolution)  also add value  to, and improve, in-person  mediation  beyond even what is available by web conferencing such as Zoom.. Additionally, applying the fast developing online technologies to resolving disputes is taking an increasingly significant role in justice systems worldwide. Taking this course allows you to be recognised as an expert not just in ODR but generally in respect of the application of Information Technology to the resolution of disputes. So the question is better framed as ‘Why not train in ODR?”

Throughout the world we are seeing the development of online courts and which models tend increasingly to  include encouragement to  the parties to try to resolve their disputes  between themselves. These initiatives lay down a pathway for the development of online justice systems that include within the court system all forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (mediation, arbitration, adjudication etc) so that the word ‘Alternative’ then becomes redundant or, more accurately, replaced in the acronym, ADR, by ‘Appropriate’.

Typical of these moves, The Council of Europe has issued a Resolution, following the hearing of evidence from three experts including your lead tutor, urging all of its then 47 member countries (currently 46 after the expulsion in 2022 of Russia)  to encourage the development and use of ODR, which it sees as key to improve access to justice.

With this gathering pace of development and growth in interest and use, now is clearly the time for dispute resolution professionals, be they mediators, arbitrators, ombudsmen or judges to develop their skills and knowledge in this exciting field.