Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) is an area that is still not fully accepted and utilised world over. As far as India is concerned, ODR processes and systems are not only absent but they receive hostile treatment from Indian government and its agencies/departments. Indian government talk about making India a hub for global online companies and portals but at the same time is killing every possible technology driven project that is putting India on the world map. Naturally, we have no world class Indian company or technology project despite the fact that we introduced ODR in India in 2004.
Our journey for ODR took a decisive turn in 2010 onwards when we launched techno legal ODR portals, public awareness blogs and ODR training portal. However, as the awareness about ODR has been low and Indian government is not inclined to use the advantage of already existing projects of PTLB and Resolve Without Litigation (RWL), ODR remained a low priority for India.
But we at RWL have decided that in the year 2019 we would make India a hub for ODR irrespective of Indian government’s lack of support and active opposition. As our activities are increasing, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) stakeholders have started approaching us for colloboration and other professional alliances. National and international stakeholders are also approaching us to get their disputes resolved using our Pro Bono ODR Portal. Every dispute is of top priority to us and that is why we have drafted a Guide so that national and international stakeholders can start their dispute resolution process in just under 5 minute time.
We are not aiming for something that is basic as with 15 years of active experience that would not be the right strategy. We at RWL intend to make India a hub for Institutionalised Arbitration and Institutionalised ODR destination. We are currently working in this field and that is why we are not in a position to respond back to individual partnership offers, investments and angel investment offers, empanelment requests, etc.
We are in receipt of these communications and please note that all these communications have been put in file in order in which they have been received. We take every single communication with us very seriously. We do not neglect and would never ignore these precious offers and communications. We request national and international stakeholders to please bear with us till we come up with individual and customised replies to all the communications received by us.
RWL is currently in talks with national and international organisations to facilitate and encourage use of technology dispute resolutions and ODR in India and world wide. RWL is looking forward for active national and international collaborations in this regard. Interested national and international organisations may contact us with their proposals in this regard. As we do not wish to miss even a single communication, we request the stakeholders to contact us simultaneously at our Twitter handles at @RWLIndia, @_PTLB, @DigitalIndiaLaw, Etc.
As the empanelment requests are pouring in great numbers and we cannot respond back individually to each such request, we have written this article as a guidance and compliance note. All empanellment requests would be entertained only if they comply with the requirements mentioned in this article.
Arbitrators, Lawyers, Mediators, Conciliators, ODR experts, Neutrals, etc that wish to work in association with PTLB may empanel with it. Interested individuals must meet the prescribed procedure in order to be empanelled with PTLB.
A minimum five years experience in arbitration matters is required to be empanelled with PTLB. The empanelment would be for minimum of one year (1) and maximum of five (5) years. The empanelment may be renewed at the discretion of PTLB and RWL. The requisite Performa for Individuals can be downloaded from “Here” (Doc). The Firms, Companies, Institutions, etc can download the Performa from “Here” (Doc).
PTLB and RWL have the sole discretion to accept or reject the empanelment requests. It would be better if applicants seek an opinion of PTLB or RWL in this regard well in advance through an e-mail. Please do not remit any fees or money till a positive confirmation is given by PTLB Or RWL for the possible inclusion of the applicant as a panelist. Applicants are strongly advised to go through the “Empanelment Procedures” before applying.
We hope this article would be helpful to all national and international ADR/ODR professionals who are interested in joining our portal and ODR services.
Please note that we maintain a “Seniority List” of our Panelists based on the first year of enrollment with us. We may only be able to accomodate limited number of Panelists for our present RWL project. We would close the empanellment procedure once required number of Panelists are enrolled. Senior Panelists have certain advantages as compared to junior members that would be discussed by us in our subsequent posts.
We welcome all who are eligible to join our portal and wish all the best to those who may be eligible in future as no ODR professional would be left by us ultimately. We would accomodate them in another ODR project of PTLB in future.
