A shot in the arm for handling consumer disputes across the EU: alternative dispute resolution system

Abstract

The handling of disputes between consumers and traders is now evolving on a more consumer-friendly ground across Europe. Following the steadily stronger consumer protection laws, the growth of online mechanisms for alternative dispute resolution (ADR) bodies is further swinging the legal pendulum from the judicial protection to developing out-of-court structures that provide cheaper and effective relief. In this regard, the recent launch of a new online dispute resolution (ODR) platform by the European Commission is quite likely to contribute to the effort to avoid disputes reaching court, providing settlement of the millions of both domestic and crossborder e-commerce disputes using online technologies, as well as strengthening the EU’s Digital Single Market Strategy. The disputes will be channelled to national ADR bodies in each Member State that are related to the platform of which online traders are required to provide notice.