eBRAM officially launches the APEC ODR Platform to promote access to justice
25 May 2022
(Hong Kong, 25 May 2022) eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre Limited (“eBRAM”) is pleased to announce the official launch of the APEC ODR Platform today, the first and only ODR Platform locally developed in Hong Kong under the APEC Collaborative Framework for ODR of Cross-Border Business-to-Business Disputes. This serves APEC businesses, especially micro, small and medium sized enterprises (“MSMEs”), with a user-friendly and secure environment to resolve cross-border business-to-business ("B2B”) disputes cost-effectively.
The APEC ODR Platform harnesses advanced technologies, including blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (“AI”), to offer secured online communications, online submissions of documents, e-Signature service, AI machine translation and online meetings/hearings through a highly secured video conferencing system.
The APEC ODR process adopts a quick and low-costs three-stage proceeding, including negotiation, mediation and arbitration, to be conducted in accordance with eBRAM APEC Rules and Schedule of Fees, the new version of which has been released today.
The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, said, “I congratulate eBRAM on the official launch of the APEC ODR Platform to enable MSMEs to resolve disputes at a competitive price, and to promote access to justice. As Hong Kong has been actively participating in various APEC initiatives; I look forward to seeing more synergies among the APEC economies to facilitate legal and business exchanges.”
Dr Thomas So, Chairman of eBRAM, said, “The official launch of this made-in-Hong Kong platform marks a significant achievement for eBRAM, but also for the local ODR and LawTech developments. We would like to express our gratitude to the Department of Justice and our partners for their unfailing support. eBRAM will continue its effort to develop a deal-making platform and more LawTech services, which will be launched within the year, aiming at helping legal practitioners in advancing their services and contribute to the consolidation of Hong Kong’s position as a leading LawTech and dispute resolution hub worldwide.”
Ms Kim Rooney, Chair of eBRAM’s Rules Committee, said, “The eBRAM APEC ODR proceedings will be supervised by experienced case management personnel and conducted online on eBRAM’s ODR Platform, that is supported by the Hong Kong Government. Among the Rules’ innovations, one neutral will seamlessly assist the Parties to resolve their dispute online within 30 days (or such extended timeframe as is agreed) in user friendly, fair, affordable, confidential, and innovative on-line proceedings.”
A designated webpage has been created for the APEC ODR Platform (https://ebram.org/apec_odr.html) to serve all the businesses in the APEC economies.
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About eBRAM
eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre Limited (“eBRAM”) tasks itself to elevate Hong Kong’s arbitration and mediation services and build capacity to meet the rapidly expanding demand for online dispute resolution and deal-making services across the borders by utilising innovative technologies to enable the city to become a LawTech centre and hub for international business dispute avoidance and resolution, and collaborate with global organisations and participating economies such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Belt-and-Road countries and beyond.
eBRAM has developed its platform leveraging the latest technologies, including artificial intelligence, blockchain and cloud. Cybersecurity and data privacy are our top priorities to protect information and communications processed via the eBRAM platform.
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