eBRAM Updates

eBRAM signed an MOU and a cooperative agreement with Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA)

6 September 2021

It was eBRAM’s greatest pleasure to sign an MOU and a cooperative agreement with Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA) in Shenzhen on 6 September with presence of Dr Thomas So JP, Chairman of eBRAM, and witnessed by Mrs. Carrie Lam GBM GBS and Mr. John Lee SBS PDSM, PMSM, JP, the Chief Executive and Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government.

SCIA and eBRAM pledged to promote online dispute resolution and LawTech, as well as develop the Greater Bay Area’s position as an international legal hub and dispute resolution centre.

Mr. Xiaochun Liu, President of SCIA, and Dr Thomas So JP, Chairman of eBRAM, signed an MOU and a cooperative agreement on 6 September 2021 in Shenzhen

“Success through Synergy" Seminar on Opportunities for Hong Kong’s Legal Industry in the Greater Bay Area organised by the Department of Justice and The Law Society of Hong Kong

13 August 2021


Organised by the Department of Justice of the HKSAR Government and The Law Society of Hong kong, the “Success through Synergy" Seminar on Opportunities for Hong Kong’s Legal Industry in the Greater Bay Area was successfully held on 13 August 2021.

The seminar was unveiled with an inspiring opening remark by The Hon Teresa CHENG Yeuk-wah, GBM, GBS, SC, JP, the Secretary for Justice, followed by the sharing of eminent legal professionals.  Dr Thomas So, JP, Chairman of eBRAM, also offered his insights on how to realise synergies and create opportunities for Hong Kong’s legal professionals in the Greater Bay Area through LawTech and eBRAM’s online dispute resolution service. 

Dr So's full presentation can be viewed here.

 






Webinar with Professor Philip Yang on “Rethinking Online Arbitration: Insights from the eBRAM COVID-19 ODR Scheme”

7 April 2021

Inspiring insights and sharings from widely-acclaimed Professor Philip Yang BBS and eBRAM’s CEO Mr Daniel Lam SBS SP on our COVID-19 ODR Scheme, and how is it going to contribute to the post-pandemic time and develop an environment with easier access to justice.

Successful Webinar on ODR development and service with International Committee of Red Cross and Hong Kong Red Cross

19 February 2021

With the extensive use of technology in business transactions nowadays, resolving disputes online is faster and more cost-effective than the traditional dispute resolution way.   The need for reliable and efficient Online Dispute Resolution (#ODR) services has been driven by the expansion of e-commerce and accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

To provide an overview of recent developments of ODR in the world, a successful online seminar was held today by eBRAM, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Hong Kong Red Cross with guest speakers Professor Zhao Yun, Head of Department of Law at University of Hong Kong; Mr Daniel Lam, CEO of eBRAM and Mr Lawrence Tam, CTO of eBRAM, who shared with the participants on how the ODR service changes the traditional ADR model and helps the individuals and businesses affected by COVID-19 pandemic resolving their disputes.




Technical support:
@eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre Limited

eBRAM is proud to host a webinar with Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC)

16 February 2021

eBRAM is proud to host a webinar with Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) to discuss how to settle business disputes quickly and possibly avoid debt by using Hong Kong's pioneering new Online Dispute Resolution platform (ODR).  Mr Daniel Lam, SBS, JP, Chief Executive Offer of eBRAM, Mr Lawrence Tam, Chief Technology Officer of eBRAM, and the Hong Kong-APEC Trade Policy Group will discuss ODR platforms and related businesses trends in the APEC region at our webinar at 11am (HKT) on 25 February 2021.

Please come and join us!

To register, please click here:

https://www.chamber.org.hk/en/events/whatson_detail.aspx?e_code=S210225WL&fbclid=IwAR2P3Glla7_V6gRg9yhdiSlJABcGjO3uNJ0-0PZBBxxDsldyedcDeOvCL9o

eBRAM is proud to support the 19th Red Cross International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Moot 2021 with our Video Conference technology

29 January 2021

eBRAM is proud to be the technical partner of the 19th Red Cross International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Moot 2021 and hosted the first live webinar using our locally developed video conference platform on 29 January, 2021.

The webinar invited Mr. Raphael Goncalves, Head of Legal Department, ICRC Regional Delegation for East Asia, as the speaker, and Mr Alex Fan from the organizing committee of the 19th Red Cross International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Moot 2021 as the facilitator. They shared the scope of application of IHL and the authorized role of the ICRC with more than 100 legal student, practitioners, and audience from different sectors.

eBRAM will be providing our video conference platform service for the 19th Red Cross International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Moot 2021 and other online events from this February to March, which allows the participants to experience the latest law technology with our secured and convenient conferencing system.


eBRAM is one of the supporting organisations for HKCICA Construction Mediation and Arbitration Webinar

22 January 2021

eBRAM is proud to be one of the supporting organisations of the HKCICA Construction Mediation and Arbitration Webinar on 26 January 2021 to promote the mediation and arbitration service in Hong Kong. 

Co-organized by Hong Kong Centre of International Commercial Arbitration (“HKCICA”), Hong Kong International Mediation Centre (“HKIMC”), International Dispute Resolution & Risk Management Institute (“IDRRMI”) and Academy of International Dispute Resolution and Professional Negotiation (AIDRN), supported by Hong Kong Mediation Centre (“HKMC”), International Professional Dispute Resolution Advocates Association (“IPDRAA”), Construction Mediation and Arbitration Webinar aims to foster discussion on construction dispute resolutions, in particular by arbitration and mediation. Renowned experts and scholars across the globe, including professionals from HKCICA, Deacons, Hogan Lovells, HKIE and Hsin Chong Construction Group Limited, have been invited to share their insights and experience on the construction disputes resolution. The discussion session in the Webinar will also engage professionals from different sectors, including corporate, employment, dispute resolution, legal, architecture, as well as entrepreneurs.

 

Details of the webinar:

Topic   : The Current Developments and Trends in Construction Dispute Resolution

Time    : 3 pm to 5 pm (Hong Kong time, UTC+8 hour)

Date    : 26 January 2021 (Tuesday)

Type    : Zoom Webinar

Zoom link    :       
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85608315763?pwd=SFhnVk4zN2c1aEdRM1RzSlppbXE4UT09

OR  Meeting ID:856 0831 5763 Password:765006

 

All industry professionals are welcome to the webinar.  

Please come and join us!

For further information and registration, please contact HKCICA at +852 3622 2284 or admin@hkcica.com.hk.

eBRAM Online Platform Serves and Delivers at the Virtual Signing Ceremony between the Hague Conference on Private International Law and the Government of the HKSAR

22 December 2020

eBRAM is proud to serve as the technology partner to enable the virtual e-signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Hague Conference on Private International Law and the Government of the HKSAR for the Technical and Administrative Arrangements relating to the Secondment of Legal Professionals at the former French Mission Building on 22 December 2020.



The Honourable Ms Teresa Cheng GBS, SC, JP, the Secretary for Justice
Virtual e-signing ceremony of MoU between HKSAR Department of Justice and HCCH

Enabled by the eBRAM Platform’s locally developed secure online video conferencing and electronic signing technologies, the Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR Government, The Honourable Ms Teresa Cheng GBS, SC, JP, and Secretary General Dr Christophe Bernasconi of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) conducted a virtual ceremony and the Memorandum of Understanding.

Mr Nick Chan MH, Vice-Chair of eBRAM, attended the ceremony on behalf of eBRAM. Mr Chan commented: “As a champion of LawTech, eBRAM is honoured and very pleased to share and deploy our locally-developed secure e-signing technology, originally developed for virtual e-signing of Online Disputes Resolution (ODR) agreements between parties hoping to resolve disputes, for the e-signing ceremony of this important MoU between HKSARG and HCCH in compliance with the laws of Hong Kong and with a more “human touch” yet without the need to travel in person during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The merging of Law + Tech disciplines to solve problems and capacity building through secondment opportunities arising from this MoU are very exciting and fits nicely with eBRAM’s vision and mission.  Collaborate more and together we shall ride out of this COVID-19 pandemic.”

eBRAM’s advance electronic signing technology enables multiple parties in different locations to sign simultaneously on a same electronic document through its secured and proprietary online platform.  The signing process and signed document can be tracked and traced easily via the eBRAM platform. All data are stored in a private cloud server in Hong Kong under the protection of Hong Kong laws. 

Cost-effective, time-saving and easy to use, eBRAM’s electronic signing services is here to help business and individuals make deals and conduct on online business trading, negotiations, and online dispute resolution.




eBRAM is honoured to be part of this important milestone and to serve the community in nurturing legal talents through continuous provision of training opportunities. Hong Kong is a leading LawTech and Online Dispute Resolution hub in Asia Pacific.

MoU signed with leading related organizations for collaboration in Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) and LawTech services

3 December 2020

eBRAM has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with six leading related organizations and mediation and arbitration providers, including Asian Academy of International Law, China Maritime Arbitration Commission, Consumer Council, Hainan International Arbitration Court, Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators, and Joint Mediation Helpline Office, at its first MoU signing ceremony held on 3 December 2020, at the French Mission Building, for closer collaboration in Online Dispute Resolution and LawTech services.

Chairman of eBRAM, Dr Thomas ST So, JP, delivered opening remarks, followed by a welcome speech from The Honourable Ms Teresa Cheng GBS, SC, JP, the Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR Government.

Dr Thomas ST So, JP The Honourable Ms Teresa Cheng GBS, SC, JP, the Secretary for Justice


Dr So reported that eBRAM is the first centre in Hong Kong dedicated to the provision of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) and related LawTech services. With the support of the Department of Justice of the HKSAR, eBRAM has established a secure and user-friendly ODR platform with advance technologies in Hong Kong. He also highlighted that the eBRAM platform is an open platform and welcome collaborating organizations to explore using our platform to provide e-arbitration and e-mediation services to help parties in dispute.

Dr So also shared that eBRAM and Consumer Council have already been working together smoothly on dispute cases through the eBRAM platform under the COVID-19 Online Dispute Resolution Scheme.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by The Hon. Ms Teresa Cheng GBS, SC, JP, and started with Dr Anthony Neoh, QC, SC, JP, Chairman of Asian Academy of International Law (AAIL), followed by Dr Wang Wen Ying, Secretary General of the China Maritime Arbitration Commission Hong Kong Arbitration Centre  (CMAC); Mr Eddy Tong, Deputy Chief Executive of the Consumer Council; Mr Alex Fan,  President of the Hainan International Arbitration Court (HIAC); Mr Samuel Wong, Chairman of the Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators (HKIArb), and Ms Sylvia Siu JP, Chairperson of the Joint Mediation Helpline Office (JMHO).


(From Left) Dr Thomas ST So, JP, The Honourable Ms Teresa Cheng GBS, SC, JP and Dr Anthony Neoh, QC, SC, JP from AAIL

(From Left) Dr Thomas ST So, JP, The Honourable Ms Teresa Cheng GBS, SC, JP and Dr. Wang Wen Ying from CMAC

(From Left) Dr Thomas ST So, JP, The Honourable Ms Teresa Cheng GBS, SC, JP and Mr Eddy Tong from Consumer Council

(From Left) Dr Thomas ST So, JP, The Honourable Ms Teresa Cheng GBS, SC, JP and Mr Alex Fan from HIAC

(From Left) Dr Thomas ST So, JP, The Honourable Ms Teresa Cheng GBS, SC, JP and Mr Samuel Wong from HKIArb

(From Left) Dr Thomas ST So, JP, The Honourable Ms Teresa Cheng GBS, SC, JP and Ms Sylvia Siu JP from JMHO

The signing ceremony is an important milestone of eBRAM. With the greater support of the community, eBRAM will contribute more to the development of ODR and LawTech services, which will help to enhance access to justice.

eBRAM and Hainan International Arbitration Court signed Memorandum of Understanding

20 November 2020

eBRAM is pleased to announce that Mr Alex Fan, Chairman of Hainan International Arbitration Court, and eBRAM’s CEO Mr. Daniel Lam, SBS, JP, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 20 November 2020.



Mr Alex Fan and Mr Danial Lam, SBS, JP both look forward to strengthening the collaborations between the two organizations, and further developing arbitration in Hong Kong and China in a more convenient and cost-effective way for dispute resolution.

Mr Alex Fan and the delegation from Hainan International Arbitration Court visited eBRAM

18 November 2020

Mr. Alex Fan, Chairman of Hainan International Arbitration Court, recently visited eBRAM and met with eBRAM’s CEO Mr. Daniel Lam, SBS, JP and the executive team. 

During the visit, Mr Alex Fan shared that e-arbitration is the new trend of current arbitration service, in which HIAC has been accumulating profound experience. Mr Fan and Mr Lam had an enjoyable exchange on stablishing a closer collaboration between the HIAC and eBRAM.

Mr Alex Fan and Mr Lawrence Tam

The eBRAM team showcased to Mr Fan the eBRAM Online Dispute Resolution platform, and Mr Fan was impressed by the user-friendliness and features of the platform. Mr Fan also tried the eBRAM’s e-signing services and signed an ODR agreement. As illustrated by Mr Lawrence Tam, CTO of eBRAM, users in different places of the world can sign documents online easily via eBRAM’s platform on PC, Mac, iOS and Android mobiles with instant update and logging for track and trace.

How to apply LawTech, e-mediation and e-arbitration on resolving disputes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic

22 October 2020

Interview of Dr. Thomas So, Chairman of eBRAM, by MetroInfo Radio

Dr. Thomas So, the Chairman of eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre Limited (eBRAM), was invited for an interview with MetroInfo Radio on 22 October 2020 to introduce the latest development of LawTech in Hong Kong. He also gave a detailed introduction on how eBRAM helps the Hong Kong residents and MSMEs, with an extremely low fee, speedily resolving different kinds of COVID-19 related disputes and restores harmony in the society through an Online Dispute Resolution Scheme supported by the Second Round of Anti-epidemic Fund measures by HKSAR government.


eBRAM’s service gives advantages in enhancing Hong Kong’s role as the legal service centre of the Belt and Road Initiative

Dr. Thomas So started by introducing the background and vision of eBRAM, which is a not-for-profit organization found under Hong Kong law in 2018.  The Board of Directors has been formed by broadly representative legal and information technology professionals.  He also shared that the launch of eBRAM and online dispute resolution services has timely eased the problem of attending in-person hearing in court litigation and traditional Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process.  eBRAM has provided the disputing parties with a convenient, highly confidential and secure AI online dispute resolution platform.  He also suggested that the eBRAM online dispute resolution platform is very suitable for resolving the business disputes along the Belt and Road countries and regions, which also helps enhance the role and status of Hong Kong as the legal service centre in the initiative.

Smooth implementation of the COVID-19 Online Dispute Resolution Scheme

Dr. Thomas So also introduced the important launch of eBRAM’s COVID-19 Online Dispute Resolution Scheme in this June.  Under the Scheme, if either party of COVID-19 related dispute is a Hong Kong resident or company and the claim amount is capped HK$ 500,000, any of the eligible parties may refer a dispute to the eBRAM’s online dispute resolution platform for resolution. Thanks to the support from the Department of Justice of the HKSAR government, the applicable case registration fee per party of HK$200 only.  The Scheme includes an inviting and effective 3-step dispute resolution procedure of (i) e-negotiation, (ii) e-mediation and (iii) e-arbitration, which aims to resolve the dispute within a time frame of 6 weeks.  Dr. Thomas So encouraged  parties who have been involved in COVID-19 related disputes or would like to require further information about the Scheme to contact eBRAM or visit our website www.ebram.org.

Using AI Translation system

Dr. Thomas So also mentioned that parties to  cross-border trading disputes always need to translate documents between different languages.  eBRAM has been focusing on the development and application of AI translation system with high accuracy, this would further lower the cost in resolving the cross-border disputes and expedite the procedures.

Support international online conferences and arbitration moots

Many large-scale academic conferences and competitions have been suspended and held virtually due to the pandemic.  As requested by different international institutions and academic groups, eBRAM has used its advanced video conferencing technology to support these events and they all went smoothly and successfully.

It was a joyful and amusing 30-minute interview with the moderator.

 

eBRAM attended HKTDC’s 2020 China International Fair Virtual Forum

7 Sept 2020

“Belt and Road New Opportunities and New Norms: Offline Disputes, Online Resolution"

eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre Limited (eBRAM) was invited to attend an virtual forum titled 「內地-香港服務貿易論壇2020 : 一帶一路新機遇、新業態:線下爭議-網上解決 (2020 China International Fair - Belt and Road Initiative New Opportunities and New Norms: Offline Disputes, Online Resolution) .

The forum was conducted in Mandarin and moderated by Dr. DING Kwok Wing, James, Commissioner of Inclusive Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Office, HKSAR. Dr Thomas So, Chairman of eBRAM, delivered a keynote speech introducing eBRAM's online dispute resolution platform to more than 100 executives, inhouse counsel and lawyers from Mainland China. 

Dr. So stressed that with online arbitration has become a  ‘New Norm’, its utmost importance to  develop a secure and user-friendly online dispute resolution platform in Hong Kong.  Online dispute resolution platform leveraging technologies with prioritized security assurance fosters Hong Kong‘s distinctive status as the legal hub supporting  ‘Belt-and-Road Initiative’ and ‘Greater Bay Area’ development.  eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre Limited (eBRAM) is the first and currently the only institution in Hong Kong that has the capacity to develop technologies locally dedicated to online deal-making and dispute resolution platform, including video-conferencing technology for online mediation meeting and arbitration hearing. All information submitted to the platform is stored in a secured and private cloud in Hong Kong managed by eBRAM and protected by Hong Kong law.

Dr. So further introduced eBRAM's newly launched  COVID-19 Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Scheme as commissioned by the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.  In Jun 2020, eBRAM  successfully developed an exclusive online platform for handling disputes arising out of or in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic globally and locally. It is especially designed for supporting those micros, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that are adversely affected or impacted hard by the pandemic. eBRAM have completed the training for arbitrators and mediators, and will start accepting COVID-19 related dispute cases in late September 2020. 

During the Q&A session of the forum, Dr So emphasised that eBRAM is the catalyst expediting the development of Hong Kong’s online dispute resolution services. As such, eBRAM will bring more practice opportunities for young arbitrators, mediators, lawyers, and IT practitioners, and reinforce Hong Kong’s longstanding status as a dispute resolution hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

Other speakers at the forum included representatives of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), CIETAC (Hong Kong Centre) and two Hong Kong dispute resolution lawyers. The forum also covered other topics such as intellectual property disputes, enforcement of arbitration award and interim measures, which are well received by the audience.

Commissioner of Inclusive Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Office visits eBRAM

20 August 2020

Dr James Ding (third left), Commissioner of Inclusive Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Office of the Department of Justice (DoJ) of Hong Kong SAR, visited the head office of eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre at Justice Place, 11 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong.
 
During the visit, Daniel Lam SBS JP, CEO, and executives of eBRAM provided with Dr Ding the latest updates of how eBRAM facilitates online dispute resolution (ODR) through the smart use of digital technologies.

Secretary for Justice signs MoU with Chairman of eBRAM

18 May 2020

The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC (second right), signed a Memorandum of Understanding today (May 18) with the Chairman of eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre, Mr Nicholas Chan (second left), on the COVID-19 Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Scheme. The Scheme will engage eBRAM to provide ODR services to the general public and businesses, in particular micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, involved in low value disputes arising from or relating to COVID-19.