ABSTRACT
This chapter draws a picture of the crisis the use of information and communication technology (ICT) has provoked within the legal system by enabling increasing privatisation of enforcement. Dispute resolution technology should be understood as an inclusive definition of ICT applications that facilitate different aspects of conflict management. The Civil Resolution Tribunal in British Columbia provides an online dispute resolution (ODR) tool backed up with the public court system for litigants in small claims or strata disputes. The World Wide Web enabled online databases for legal information, whereas email and later videoconferencing technology gave rise to early ODR applications. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures promote easy access to conflict resolution, which is guaranteed by the relatively low fees and light structure of the process and by focusing on party interests instead of black-letter law. The combination of access to the payment method and internal dispute resolution procedure is necessary for producing an effective private enforcement mechanism.
