MEDIATION IN E-COMMERCE: ECONOMIC AND LEGAL (INCL. CRIMINAL) ASPECTS
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Abstract
The modern global economy is undergoing a fundamental transformation centred on the rapid growth of e-commerce. The digitalisation of trade creates new opportunities for businesses and consumers alike, while also generating new types of disputes that require effective resolution mechanisms. Traditional justice systems are not flexible or effective enough to respond to the challenges of the digital age, making the search for alternative approaches to resolving commercial disputes relevant. Against this backdrop, a detailed analysis of the legal and economic aspects of the development of mediation in e-commerce is required. The study aims to analyse the use of mediation as a tool for resolving e-commerce disputes in terms of economic advantages, and to determine the effectiveness of online mediation in cross-border commercial relations. The research methodology consists of the following methods: the dialectical method, the system analysis method, the formal legal method, the comparative legal method, and the synthesis method. The study found that, compared to traditional litigation, mediation in the field of e-commerce provides dispute resolution 50–55% faster, while preserving business relationships in 68% of cases. The economic analysis shows that transaction costs for dispute resolution can be reduced by up to 30% for small and medium-sized businesses. The study revealed a significant transformation in the electronic dispute resolution legal landscape in 2024–25: the termination of the European Online Dispute Resolution Platform, and the simultaneous development of national initiatives, particularly in Canada, Latvia and California. The impact of artificial intelligence on mediation was analysed. It was found that platforms designed to resolve disputes have the potential to automate processes while maintaining human control over decision-making. The potential use of blockchain technologies and smart contracts for automatically executing mediation agreements was also identified.
How to Cite
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e-commerce, cost-effectiveness, artificial intelligence in arbitration, mediation, online dispute resolution (ODR), cross-border disputes
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