Alternative Dispute Resolution - Online Dispute Resolution

When consumers have a problem with a trader regarding a product or service they bought, they can settle their dispute out-of-court through an Alternative Dispute Resolution procedure. Such procedures are an alternative to resolving disputes before a court and are hence called Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). When they are carried out online, they are called Online Dispute Resolution (ODR). Resolving disputes through ADR, in general, is easier, faster and less expensive than resolving disputes before a court. In the European Union, ADR procedures can take different forms and have different names e.g. mediation, conciliation, ombudsmen, arbitration, complaints boards.

The link address is: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/solving_consumer_disputes/non-judicial_redress/adr-odr/index_en.htm