Transforming Digital Dispute Resolution in India

Abstract

The era of digital reality offers and shapes new dispute resolution mechanisms, imposes high demands and sets its own rules to be complied with. The introduction of information and communication technologies and artificial intelligence into judicial and out-of-court dispute resolution proceedings in India has shown innovative results quite rapidly. Transformation of digital modes of dispute resolution continues with new research and development of modern technologies that strive for excellence. The purpose of this study is to analyze transformation of digital dispute resolution methods in India, considering the historical evolutionism that led from the Vedic era to the global digital revolution, formation of a hybrid model that combines several modes of dispute resolution - offline courts, online courts and online dispute resolution using digital technologies and alternative dispute resolution methods. However, the digital system is far from being perfect; it has significant drawbacks associated with the risks of cyber-attacks and leakage of personal data containing sensitive confidential and personal information. Besides, the digital literacy of the Indian population located on the periphery is quite low, which greatly reduces the level of trust in electronic courts and online dispute resolution.