It is important to be aware that in today’s world “international business” is no longer limited to large scale transactions between multinational companies. On the contrary, the Internet itself has opened a global marketplace where millions of small scale transactions take place daily. Traditional forms of dispute resolution—even traditional forms of alternative dispute resolution—are neither economical nor even functional to resolve high numbers of individually small-scale financial and other dispute between parties separated by national borders and thousands of miles. Trust is the key to the full development of the global marketplace and trust is not possible without a functional dispute resolution system that reflects economies of scale related to high volume, small scale business transactions between people and businesses. Opportunity:
IBO can help solve the problem by training neutrals and establishing a credentialing program for ODR. In addition, IBO will lobby for the harmonization of international business laws, especially those that pertain to online commerce. By establishing the foundation for online commerce and by providing the means for individuals to become Online Dispute Resolution Neutrals (ODR), IBO will be lowering the barriers and costs for ODR.
IBO has taken significant steps toward development of a world-class curriculum by engaging several of the world’s foremost experts in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and ODR. The IBO has also developed in depth relationships with many leading academic institutions. The IBO is now fully prepared to develop their know-how into online courseware using existing in-house resources.
For ODR to work in the real-world it requires the equivalent of judges in the current, off-line justice system. Neutrals who are trained and certified (trusted) will play that role.
The IBO successfully accomplishes the following two tasks:
- A Credentialing Program for Neutrals recognized as the standard for certification.
- Create a market for ODR by:
- Educating the public and the legal profession as to the benefits of ODR,
- Building a large membership and helping the membership to advance the market for and infrastructure for ODR
- Convincing judges globally (including the National Center or State Courts) to further promote “Alternative Dispute Resolution” and specifically ODR.
Product Description
ODR Credentialing Certification & Trustmark for ODR Neutrals- IBO will establish the standard needed to be certified as an ODR Neutral.
The process will include registration, online information, online courseware, approval/certification.
- IBO will administer the Credentialing process.
- IBO will create and issue a Trustmark to all Certified Neutrals.
- IBO will create a system for tracking Neutrals and providing ongoing training.
The ODR Credentialing Program The program will consist of:
- Membership – Registration requires membership in IBO.
- Registration – Online registration and a registration fee is required
- On-line information – once registered IBO makes information related to ODR available.
- Successful completion of specified online courses and simulation hours.
- A final review by IBO and approval.
- Credentialing administration and listing online (As an online courseware process, Neutrals will be credentialed to administer certified all over the world.) Certification costs $500 and lasts for two years, after which a Neutral must complete some steps (TBD) to be Re-Certified.
- Re-Certification will consist of passing a test and requires IBO membership and a re-certification fee (TBD).
