AAA Unveils Online Mediation Service

Feb. 11, 2008 -- The American Arbitration Association recently launched an Online Mediation Service for parties to certain disputes involving claims of $10,000 or less.

The new service, introduced on Jan. 28, is designed for disputes involving only two parties, such as consumer-oriented or small business-to-business cases. "Business is increasingly being conducted in cyberspace. Where there are online transactions, there will be some online disputes. So why not provide parties with a means for resolving such disputes in the same environment?" said Neil Carmichael, AAA vice president of U.S. and International Mediation Services.

For certain types of disputes, especially those with small-dollar claims, online mediation is more cost-effective and more convenient, Carmichael added.

For a $50 filing fee, parties will be able to mediate their disagreement in an online chat room, with the help of an in-house AAA mediator. The initiating party is expected to pay the fee, unless both parties agree to share cost. Parties will have 30 days to complete the mediation process.

The AAA will provide the chat room where online mediations will be held. An automated system will facilitate scheduling as well as mediator appointment.

美国仲裁协会揭开在线调解服务的面纱

　　美国仲裁协会将为标的额不高于1万美元的案件当事人提供在线调解服务。

　　这项在1月28日引入的最新服务，是为解决诸如消费纠纷、电子商务中的B2B等案件，只存在两方当事人之间纠纷而设计的。“网络交易正在不断增长，因此为交易当事人提供相应的纠纷解决平台是很有必要的。”美国仲裁协会美国及国际调解服务部副主席Neil Carmichael说。

　　“某些类型的纠纷，特别是小金额纠纷的案件，在线调解更显成本及效率上的优势。”Carmichael补充道。

　　只需交纳50美元的立案费用，当事人就可以在美国仲裁协会内部的调解员的帮助下，在在线聊天室中化解他们之间的分歧。除非双方当事人约定分摊费用，申请人需缴纳申请费用。当事人将在30天内完成所有的调解程序。

　　美国仲裁协会将提供在线聊天室供调解使用，自动化案件系统将推动案件程序的进行及指派调解员。