Adv Mrunal Shrikant Chilka, D.E.S. Navalmal Firodia Law College, Pune
Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) in India has emerged as a transformative approach to addressing the challenges of the traditional judicial system, which is often plagued by delays, high costs, and inaccessibility. With over 50 million pending cases in Indian courts, the need for an efficient and accessible alternative has never been more pressing. ODR, which leverages digital platforms and technology to resolve disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or other mechanisms, offers a promising solution. It is particularly suited for disputes arising from e-commerce, consumer complaints, family matters, and small claims, where the stakes may not justify the time and expense of traditional litigation. By providing a faster, cheaper, and more convenient alternative, ODR has the potential to democratize access to justice and alleviate the burden on India’s overstretched judicial system.
The evolution of ODR in India can be traced back to the early 2000s, when the Information Technology Act, 2000, laid the foundation for electronic governance and recognized the legal validity of digital transactions. However, it was not until the advent of the Internet and the proliferation of smartphones that ODR gained momentum as a practical solution. The launch of the Digital India initiative in 2015 marked a turning point, creating an enabling environment for the growth of ODR platforms. Around the same time, private ODR providers such as Presolv360, SAMA, and CADRE emerged, offering innovative solutions for resolving disputes online. These platforms leveraged advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain to streamline the dispute resolution process and enhance user experience. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the adoption of ODR, as courts were forced to shut down or operate at reduced capacity, leading to an urgent need for alternative mechanisms to address the growing backlog of cases. This period also saw a surge in e- commerce and digital transactions, resulting in an increase in disputes that could be effectively resolved through ODR.
Today, the ODR landscape in India operates at the intersection of law, technology, and innovation, encompassing a wide range of services such as online negotiation, mediation,
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