• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.131-149
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• 2010

Since the Arbitration Law of China took effect in 1995, arbitration has grown with the economy. At the end of 2009, there were 202 arbitration institutions in China. Among them, China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission(CIETAC) has adopted online arbitration and has settled internet domain name disputes since 2001. CIETAC Domain Name Dispute Resolution Center(DNDRC) has accumulated abundant experiences of online arbitration in the field of domain name disputes. Based on those experiences, on 1 May 2009, CIETAC implemented the CIETAC Online Arbitration Rules(Rules') to regulate the resolution of e-business disputes as well as other business disputes. With this background, this article aims to study the status quo, practices and issues of online arbitration conducted by CIETAC. For the purpose of the article, a general picture of online arbitration is outlined first, followed by introducing the steps of the online arbitration procedure. According to the 'Rules', the entire arbitration process is conducted using online communication methods which are cost-effective and efficient. To facilitate the development of online arbitration, legal barriers need to be removed. This article considers main legal issues of online arbitration in China and proposes amendment to Chinese Arbitration Law, in particular, the recognition of the validity of electronic arbitration agreements and awards.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.215-237
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• 2011

There are more than two hundred arbitral institutions in China. Some of them are active in the development of online arbitration system, such as CIETAC and Guangzhou Arbitration Commission(GAC). GAC, founded in 1995, is the second largest arbitral institution in China which accepts more than 4,000 cases a year. With extensive experiences in arbitration, GAC has conducted online arbitration procedures since 2007. Moreover it opened the whole process of online hearing to the public through the Internet. With this background, this article aims to support the development of online arbitration through the analysis of GAC practices. To meet the purpose, status quo, rules and procedure of online arbitration of GAC are outlined, followed by introducing nine cases conducted by GAC. The scope of GAC online arbitration is comparatively narrow and the institution is still under the government supervision. But the practices of GAC proved that online arbitration is fully admissible and effective under the current legal framework.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.61-101
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• 2004

Information and communications technologies are affecting an economic and social transformation of all countries. Without exception international commercial dispute resolution systems are faced with change its mechanism to online technology. Dispute parties can seek redress through arbitration other than litigation or mediation. Traditional dispute resolutions do not match the cyber trade environment which is basically pursuit the speed and efficiency in cyberspace. Arbitration other than resolution methods have been considered to be match with the online environment which is including party autonomy, speed and internationally accepted and binding awards. Traditional arbitration, however is lack of time and different physical location relating all parties. So we now think cyberspace as for the resolving place which is online arbitration. Even the parties exist in different space and time they may meet in the same time and space without moving or trips. Nowadays there are many online arbitration service provider serving the resolution of dispute arising with online transaction. In this paper we study the tendency for online arbitration, the recognize uncertain matters and avoiding programs its matters when use the online arbitration between disputing parties under cyber trade environment.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.137-158
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• 2003

The rapid growth of electronic commerce increases the potential for conflicts over contracts which have been entered into online(e.g. about price, late delivery, defects, specifications...). Using arbitration as a dispute resolution alternative is becoming increasingly popular especially in cases involving intellectual property rights and technology disputes since speed and secrecy are essential. The use of online dispute resolution(ODR) mechanisms to resolve such e-commerce conflicts is crucial for building business, consumer confidence and permitting access to justice in an online business environment. However, the use of the Internet and the World Wide Web in dispute resolution has an impact on the types of communication implied in the relevant processes(negotiation, mediation and arbitration). This paper deals with legal issues with respect to the practice of online arbitration. The paper begins with a brief introduction to the theories behind arbitration. These sections will be followed by a discussion on the specifics of online arbitration and the problems the process faces online arbitration by the legal community.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.26
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• pp.225-253
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• 2005

Nowadays we does not hesitate to definite answer that the arbitration is the most developed dispute settlement out of court in the international commercial transaction. Online arbitration is desirable for the reasons of speed and cost effectiveness to settle the dispute about the international commercial transaction. Online arbitration is fast because it uses the communication technologies that allow information to be sent fast and efficiently. But in online arbitration too much speed and efficiency may lead to a violation of due process rights and consequently the online arbitration awards run a risk to be set aside or refused its enforcement under the international commercial arbitration mechanism. Speed and efficiency may conflict with the procedural guarantee characterizing each adversary dispute resolution process. As arbitration is exclusive of recourse to courts, a state must guarantee that arbitral proceeding should be satisfied with the claim rights requirement. The main question regarding the sources of regulation is particularly for the due process whether or not this is provided by the availability of grounds to set arbitral award aside. In other words, does it respect due process in the arbitration proceeding including information communication and technology under the online arbitration. In this paper it is discussed about how the main issue in arbitration should be implemented in online arbitration proceedings to cope with the due process requirements in national and international.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.29-47
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• 2014

In recent years, with the rapid development of electronic commerce, companies engaging in e-commerce want to take advantage of fast and easy way to solve ever-growing disputes online. South Korea's e-commerce disputes are mainly solved by mediation process of Korea E-commerce Mediation Committee. The whole process of online mediation can be carried out by the network, with the advantages of high efficiency and speed. On the other hand, the introduction of CIETAC's online Arbitration Rules in China meets the actual needs. Especially the requirement of hearing trials' procedures should be easier and faster, making the dispute can be resolved in a short time. Furthermore, the whole process from applying to ruling is conducted online, which meets the needs of e-commerce business that want to solve the disputes faster and more efficient. In addition, the cost of online arbitration is much lower than the average arbitrations. The implementation of the CIETAC's Online Arbitration Rules, will further promote the development of e-commerce in China. With the increase of trade volume between China and Korea, the e-business are also increasing. Although South Korea has not yet implemented online arbitration until now, CIETAC's effort for combining arbitration and mediation have good implications for development Korea's e-commerce online dispute system to promote e-Commerce between Korea and China.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.91-116
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• 2008

E-Commerce constitutes an important part of all commercial activities. Online Alternative Dispute Resolution(Online ADR) or Online Dispute Resolution(ODR) is a new method of dispute, resolution which, is provided online. Most Online ADR services are alternatives to litigation. In this respect, they are the online transposition of the methods developed in the ADR movement such as negotiation, mediation and arbitration. But there are also online courts which are really normal courts in which the contesting parties communicate essentially online. This paper deals with the current operation of Online ADR and the ways to, activate it. They include (1) die establishment of legal stability regarding Online ADR, (2) the enhancement of system security in providing Online ADR services, (3) the introduction of Online ADR service platform for providing the various services through single window on a national, or global basis, and (4) the introduction of Online ADR online monitoring system for systematic dispute resolution services.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.19
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• pp.191-223
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• 2003

Electronic commerce and the Internet offer unprecedented opportunities. The explosive expansion of the use of the Internet makes it possible for businesses to expand their markets and render services. Global transaction costs are easy to cut off using Internet and transaction speed is faster than before. Where cyberspace is not free from claims, Offline transaction can lead to problems and disputes the same is for cyberspace transactions. However ADR is not meet for the online transaction for speed, cost and open network system, ODR methods to resolve electronic commerce conflicts is crucial for building confidence and permitting access to justice in an online business environment. The use of the Internet and the network in dispute resolution has an impact on the types of communication implied in the relevant processes such as automated negotiation, online mediation and online arbitration and involves new technological issues such as the integrity and confidentiality of data and communication used to transmit and store data. Among the ODR systems Online Arbitration is currently binding both parties disputed and can achieve the aim of dispute award the same as the traditional arbitration. Arbitration is based on the New York Convention 1958, Arbitration Model law 1985 and national Arbitration Act that are founded on territorial area and rested on arbitration agreement, constitution of the arbitral tribunal, due process, final and binding award and enforcement of the arbitration award. To compare with this issues Online arbitration has unnecessarily legal unstability and risk. ODR is the burgeoning field and has created a new issues. All such issues which have been debated in the ADR are composed with ODR. But these are not limited Some of issues are further complicated by the nature of the online environment such as confidentiality and principle of parties. It is true that online arbitration should comply with legal provisions, but which is impossible to adhere of the law. Flexible translation and functional equivalence of legal provisions are needed for acceptance of electronic commerce disputes. Finally electronic commerce now takes place on the Internet, it is inevitable that the commercial world wants access to dispute resolution process that best suits the new commercial environment. ODR methods are processing for development and legal issues are considered by both national and international authorities. Introduction of new Conventions or amend Convention and Model law of ODR comes near.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.217-245
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• 2001

Like traditional commerce, disputes are bound to arise in the course of conducting an e-commerce transaction. At present of June 30, 2001, 259 cases of dispute on e-commerce have been applied for the mediation of Electronic Transaction Dispute Mediation Committee, types of them are 170 cases of delayed delivery of commodity, 21 cases of contract cancellation and refund, 16 cases of personal information protection, 16 cases of false and exaggerated advertisement, 14 cases of commodity defect. The settlement systems of e-commerce dispute are litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR). ADR encompasses mediation, arbitration, and similar private tools for resolving disputes. ADR offers many perceived advantages. Speed of resolution and low cost are often cited as the primary benefits. Therfore e-commerce disputes may be settled more effectively by litigation. The settlement systems of e-commerce dispute by ADR are the mediation of Electronic Transaction Dispute Mediation Committee, the mediation of Consumer Dispute Mediation Commercial Arbitration Board, and the arbitration of Korean Commerical Arbitration Board. E-commerce sets up the probability that its merchants and customers will not exist in the same legal jurisdictions. The confusing application of laws and wide geographical dispersion of these parties will necessitate a faster and cheaper dispute resolution methodology. Therefore, online ADR may be effective for e-commerce dispute resolution. The examples of online ADR opetation are the cyber mediation of Electronic Transaction Dispute Resolution Committee, the cyber mediation of Korean Commercial Arbitration Board, the cyber mediation of Click N Settle, the online ADR of BBB online, and the cyber arbitration of virtual Magistrate.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.47-64
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• 2011

The China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission(CIETAC) released online arbitration rules which apply the resolution of disputes over electronic commerce transactions, as well as other economic and trade disputes in which the parties agree to do. The evidence submitted by the parties may be electronic evidence created, sent, received or stored by electronic, optical or magnetic means. Electronic evidence with a reliable electronic signature shall carry the same effect and probative force as a document with a hand-written signature. Where a case is tried in a tribunal, the arbitration tribunal shall conduct an online trial hearing using internet video conference or other electronic or computer communication means. Unless the parties have another agreement, summary procedure shall apply to cases where the amount in dispute exceeds RMB 100,000 but no more than RMB 1 million, or where the amount in dispute exceeds RMB 1 million and a party submits a written application for summary procedure after obtaining the written consent of the other party. Unless the parties have agreed otherwise, fast-track procedure shall apply to cases where the amount in dispute does not exceed RMB 100,000 or where the amount in dispute exceeds RMB 100,000 and a party submits a written application for fast-track procedure after obtaining the written consent of the other party. Notable features of the Online Rules are as follows; first, there is not detailed consideration for online arbitration. Second, communications between the parties and the tribunal are allowed only through the Secretariat. Third, elaborate provisions regarding the electronic submission and transmission of documents is provided for. Forth, various factors must be considered by the tribunal in deciding the evidence's reliability. Fifth, reasonable endeavours is levied on CIETAC to keep data communications secure and encrypted. Sixth, the tribunal has the right to investigate and collect relevant evidence. And finally different procedures are provided for in consideration of the various types of E-commerce.