This book provides a deeper understanding of electronic evidence and its use in civil and commercial dispute resolution. The explosive growth of information technology has had major impacts on the development of the economy, society and also on the improvement of legal proceedings with the use of modern technology in all areas of criminal and civil procedures. This book focuses on the current provisions of UNCITRAL, the European Union, Germany and Vietnam concerning electronic evidence in civil and commercial dispute resolution. It analyses the notion and the basic aspects of evidence and electronic evidence and explores the process of finding electronic evidence. Further, it discusses how the effectiveness of finding electronic evidence can be reconciled with a respect for fundamental rights, in particular with personal privacy and personal data protection. The book subsequently addresses the authentication and admissibility of electronic evidence; the evaluation of electronic evidence and the burden of proof; and the challenges of using electronic evidence in civil and commercial dispute resolution. Finally, it puts forward proposals for promoting the use of electronic evidence in these contexts. As the book focuses on the current texts of UNCITRAL and the civil procedure legislation of the European Union, Germany and Vietnam, it relies on a comparative method which deals with the most significant provisions of the above legislation.

Improving access to justice has been an ongoing process, and on-demand justice should be a natural part of our increasingly on-demand society. What can we do for example when Facebook blocks our account, we're harassed on Twitter, discover that our credit report contains errors, or receive a negative review on Airbnb? How do we effectively resolve these and other such issues? Digital Justice introduces the reader to new technological tools to resolve and prevent disputes bringing dispute resolution to cyberspace, where those who would never look to a court for assistance can find help for instance via a smartphone. The authors focus particular attention on five areas that have seen great innovation as well as large volumes of disputes: ecommerce, healthcare, social media, labor, and the courts. As conflicts escalate with the increase in innovation, the authors emphasize the need for new dispute resolution processes and new ways to avoid disputes, something that has been ignored by those seeking to improve access to justice in the past.

The Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides an up-to-date resource for information on legal ethics. Federal, state and local courts in all jurisdictions look to the Rules for guidance in solving lawyer malpractice cases, disciplinary actions, disqualification issues, sanctions questions and much more. In this volume, black-letter Rules of Professional Conduct are followed by numbered Comments that explain each Rule's purpose and provide suggestions for its practical application. The Rules will help you identify proper conduct in a variety of given situations, review those instances where discretionary action is possible, and define the nature of the relationship between you and your clients, colleagues and the courts.

This book provides a deeper understanding of electronic evidence and its use in civil and commercial dispute resolution. The explosive growth of information technology has had major impacts on the development of the economy, society and also on the improvement of legal proceedings with the use of modern technology in all areas of criminal and civil procedures. This book focuses on the current provisions of UNCITRAL, the European Union, Germany and Vietnam concerning electronic evidence in civil and commercial dispute resolution. It analyses the notion and the basic aspects of evidence and electronic evidence and explores the process of finding electronic evidence. Further, it discusses how the effectiveness of finding electronic evidence can be reconciled with a respect for fundamental rights, in particular with personal privacy and personal data protection. The book subsequently addresses the authentication and admissibility of electronic evidence; the evaluation of electronic evidence and the burden of proof; and the challenges of using electronic evidence in civil and commercial dispute resolution. Finally, it puts forward proposals for promoting the use of electronic evidence in these contexts. As the book focuses on the current texts of UNCITRAL and the civil procedure legislation of the European Union, Germany and Vietnam, it relies on a comparative method which deals with the most significant provisions of the above legislation.

By means of the analysis of more than 20 national jurisdictions of different legal and geographical origin this book provides a general understanding of the developments that civil and commercial mediation is currently undertaking across the world. The book combines 25 national reports with a General Report analyzing the major trends in civil and commercial mediation worldwide. A number of the key variables that make mediation so effective are studied in depth in the book. The concept of mediation, that varies from country to country. Its legal framework and the branches of public and private law in which it is used. The legal condition of the mediation agreement and its relevant conditions of form and content, the responsibilities of the parties in the event that they violate this agreement and the effects of this agreement on potential recourse to the courts or to arbitration, as well as with regard to pending cases. As well as the role played by the mediator, his or her appointment or designation, legal and ethical responsibilities, and the role of institutions in mediation. As well as the mediation process, its applicable rules and principles and its costs are analyzed on comparative basis. The book also pays special attention to the outcome of mediation. The enforceability of the settlement reached both in domestic and cross-border mediations constitutes a basic element for the success of the institution and is thoroughly studied. This volume constitutes a unique instrument for those interested on mediation, either practitioners, judges or academics.

Offers an account of ODR for consumers in the EU context, presenting a comprehensive investigation of the development of ODR for business to consumer disputes within the EU. This book examines the role of both the European legislator with the Mediation Directive and the English judiciary in encouraging the use of mediation.

This book presents an overview of online arbitration and electronic contracting worldwide, examining their national and international contexts, and assessing their ongoing relevance. It offers solutions to the salient challenges facing both online arbitration and electronic contracting, dealing first–hand with online arbitration as an online dispute resolution technique for solving both traditional and electronic commerce disputes that may arise out of the breach of contractual obligations in international commercial contracts, while also comparing between common law and civil law countries. In the theory of law, this book analyses the international legal framework that regulates e–commerce, and its impact on electronic contracting, including Model Laws and International Conventions such as the Model Law on Electronic Commerce of 1996 and the Electronic Communications Convention of 2005. It also investigates whether the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods of 1980 ‘The CISG’ applies to e–commerce contracts. In addition, it extensively examines the possibility for the enforcement of online arbitration agreements and online arbitral awards under the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards of 1958. Regarding the practice of law, the volume examines how national courts apply both national laws and the New York Convention of 1958 when dealing with the enforcement of online arbitration agreements, and whether courts apply the provisions of national laws of arbitration liberally. As such, it encourages the adoption of a more liberal judicial regime in favour of the enforcement of online arbitral awards and online arbitration agreements in national courts. This book represents a valuable resource for academics, arbitrators, practicing lawyers, corporate counsels, law students, researchers, and professionals who are willing to solve their cross–border commercial disputes through online arbitration.

Based on in-depth field research conducted in China between 2019 and 2023, this book raises a concept of “rightful control” and demonstrates a new means of dispute resolution used by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) through digital technology and its impact on state-society relations. The author argues that when rightful control relies more on means beyond law and policy, it not only fails to construct an image of a responsible state but also leads to the counterproductive result of creating new conflicts that may bring social instability and threaten regime legitimacy. The study explains why digital technology could only perform a limited role in strengthening social control, which adds a new dimension to state-society relations in China from the perspective of digital governance. The book will attract researchers and students studying law, political science, and sociology, and government personnel who focus on digital governance.