Abstract:
The advent of internet as a medium for online commerce has rejuvenated all aspects of human interaction and has led to the growth of an independent industry known as e-commerce.
Commercial transactions today consistently circle the globe in milliseconds and disputes arising from it are very complex in nature which cannot be catered by paper bound or in- person procedures. Therefore, in case of e-commerce disputes our resolution system should be compatible with the realities of the cyber world and e-commerce.
The evolution of online dispute resolution (ODR) is the result of application of information and communication technology to resolve the online disputes. The basic idea of ODR is that in e-commerce, transactions are being carried out nationally and internationally, and in case of a dispute the consumer would need not to go to a civil court and face all the challenges that are lengthy, costly and intricate. Through ODR forums, remedy will be made available to the consumers online through online mediation, negotiation, conciliation and arbitration which are speedy and cost effective procedures.
This research discusses the importance of ODR in today’s time and stresses on the protection of consumers interests in the digital age while highlighting the problems faced by the consumers in the course of e-transactions, especially with reference to Pakistan’s market. It discusses the current state of affairs of ODR in Pakistan and the atmosphere for introduction of ODR in Pakistan. It also proposes an organizational structure of ODR supported by the government at a national level in Pakistan.
