Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Transactions in the Borderless Online Marketplace

Submission by The Mediation Information & Resource Center (MIRC) to the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce Re: Online Dispute Resolution

The Mediation Information & Resource Center (MIRC) located at www.mediate.com respectfully submits the following information for consideration by the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Commerce regarding the implementation of online dispute resolution of consumer disputes.

For our responses to the 18 questions, please click on the question below or choose a question from the drop down list at the top of each page.

1. Types of ADR
2. How is ADR used today?
3. What programs currently exist?
4. What disclosures are currently made to parties?
5. Are ADR Programs binding, mandatory, or appealable?
6. How are decisions enforced?
7. What fees are charged?
8. Is ADR better for certain types of disputes?
9. How do current online ADR programs work?
10. What are the obstacles to online ADR?
11. What lessons can be drawn from international ADR?
12. What complementary mechanisms are being used?
13. How can online ADR be kept fair and timely?
14. How does online differ from offline ADR?
15. What should the role of government be?
16. What laws might conflict with online ADR?
17. What should the public workshop focus on?
18. What other interests should be included?

We encourage you to offer your feedback on these questions and our answers in our forum environment. To participate, just log in as a new user and click on the "FTC Questions" conference at the bottom of the conference list.