The 21st International Online Dispute Resolution Forum – Dublin, Ireland, May 3-5, 2022

Originally planned for May 2020 as ODR2020, the 21st International ODR Forum was held as ODR2022, in Dublin, Ireland, on May 3-5 2022.

ODR2022, the 21st International Online Dispute Resolution Forum, was hosted by the UCD Sutherland School of Law at University College Dublin – Ireland’s longest established university law school, and a top-100 law school worldwide.

The International ODR Forum is the annual gathering of the Fellows of the National Centre for Dispute Resolution International Forum, and it is the premier global networking event of the international online dispute resolution community. The first International ODR Forum was held in Geneva in 2002 under the auspices of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and subsequent forums have been held in Geneva, Melbourne, Cairo, Liverpool, Hong Kong, Victoria (Canada), Haifa (Israel), Liverpool, Prague, Buenos Aires, Chennai, Prague, Montreal, Paris, The Hague, Silicon Valley, New York City, Beijing, Auckland (New Zealand), and most recently Williamsburg, Virginia USA. In 2021 the Forum was held exclusively online. The proceedings of the forum have worldwide influence and reach. The next Forums will be

Bangalore, India, on 17-18 March, 2023 (for further info contact rashika@agami.in or chittu@crekodr.com); and
Tokyo, Japan, in 2024

The 21st Forum, in Dublin, came at a time of rapid growth in the use of online technologies for dispute resolution by courts, ADR bodies, businesses, and governments, catapulted further by the global pandemic. The demands and challenges for justice in the digital age have never been greater, nor have the opportunities. As expected, the forum included a heavy focus on the effect of the pandemic on ODR.
ODR2022 CONFERENCE THEMES
Online Dispute Resolution and Society Including cross border consumer dispute resolution; ODR in asylum cases; ODR of Family Disputes, etc. The Forum included a particular focus this year on Data Privacy and Data Protection for ODR in various jurisdictions around the world.
ODR in the Courts Featuring the latest developments, approaches, and experiences, with reports and empirical data on what’s working, what isn’t working, and what’s coming, from around the world.
Justice in the Digital Age The latest thought on how traditional concepts of justice need to evolve, and how ODR can be used to shape the future of justice.
ODR & Technology Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and rapidly developing tools for resolving or removing disputes. Of particular interest are smart contracts and natural language processing.
Developments in ODR services Highlighting new approaches, providers and services. The Forum will include an exhibitor area for platform and service providers to demonstrate their technology and services. 

WHO WAS THERE?

ODR 2021 was presented in hybrid form (in person in Dublin and online around the world) to over 330 registered participants, joining from all continents of the world, excluding Antarctica. They included:

– Leading international academics and key influencers in the fields of Online Dispute Resolution and Alternative Dispute Resolution, including Fellows of the National Centre for Dispute Resolution ODR Forum;

– Practitioners, Lawyers, Judges, Court Officials and support staff, and policy makers in the courts’ administration from many countries around the world;

– Online Dispute Resolution service providers, developers and pioneers in the field of online dispute resolution services and technology;

– ADR Practitioners, Mediators and Arbitrators

– Technology experts and developers

– Exhibitors of the latest in ODR technologies and services

See also the ODR2022 Panellist Profiles

ODR 2022 will be of interest to everyone who has an interest or a stake in the development of dispute resolution in the digital age – from businesses looking to improve access to efficient dispute resolution to the lawyers and dispute resolvers of the future. ODR 2022 offered a unique opportunity to learn from, meet and network with the leaders in the field of the future of dispute resolution. Be part of the next Forum in Delhi in 2023!