Service

A. General Information

1. Title

eBRAM – International Online Dispute Resolution Platform

2. Implementation period of the project/service:
From
Jan-2018
To
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3. Website
https://www.ebram.org/aim_and_services.html
4. Geographical coverage
Global: Asia and the Pacific
Hub Point: Hong Kong, China
5. Participating agencies/entities of the project/service:
a. Development stage
Lead agencies/entities
Asian Academy of International Law Ltd Hong Kong Bar Association
The Law Society of Hong Kong
Other participating agencies/entities
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b. Operational stage
Lead agencies/entities (op)
The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong
China Legal Service
Other participating agencies/entities (op)
Government of Hong Kong
6. Main stakeholders/beneficiaries of the service
Traders (big enterprises)
Traders (SMEs)
Other Government Agencies (OGAs)
7. Business process category of the service
Online Dispute Resolution

B. Lessons Learned

8. Summary description of the project/service
Brief Summary

eBRAM is a Hong Kong-based LawTech firm, which provides an online dispute resolution platform for international trade, mostly for SMEs, MSMEs, sole proprietors or freelancers - mostly small businesses that do not possess a legal department. 

eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre Limited

a. Objective(s)

The goal of eBRAM is to foster cross-border trade between small businesses that operate with limited legal resources, in order to develop international trade, mostly within countries part of the BRI initiative.

b. Business need for the service (background)

eBRAM has created a legally recognized online dispute resolution platform that digitalized the whole process of dispute settlement, from the notice of arbitration to the arbitral award and signature.

c. Business process covered*

eBRAM covers the issue of cross-border dispute resolution between traders that often operate in different countries (e.g., buyer and supplier).

d. Overall architecture and functionalities*

eBRAM is a non-profit organization which provides services in remote hearings for cross-border dispute resolution, which decisions are legally binding under the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards. Any business willing to commence arbitral proceeding can submit a Notice of Arbitration on the platform. eBRAM then appoints an arbitrator from its panel, with relevant experience in the field. All documents pertaining to the case can be uploaded on the platform. Arbitral hearings are conducted through a video-conferencing system integrated to eBRAM, which includes an AI-powered real-time translation system. Arbitral awards issued are legally binding. eBRAM also provides a cost calculator to help businesses get an idea of the costs of the arbitration proceedings.

e. Relevant document/figure
9. Documents and data exchanged via the service

Digital notice of arbitration / Digital request for mediation / e-signature documents / Digital arbitral award.

10. Data models/databases, proprietary solutions, hybrid approaches
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11. Main challenges faced during the service
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12. Lessons learned from the service
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13. Main benefit(s) of the service
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13A. Elaborations/detailed description on benefits gained
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14. Technical/financial/capacity building/other assistance
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15. Future plan for expansion of the service
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16. Other information or relevant references on the service
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17. Relevant document regarding the service
ebram-arbitration-rules.pdf

C. Relevant Standards

18. Name(s) of any international, national legal instrument underpinning the service
New York Convention (1958): Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards
19. Electronic message standard
19A. Electronic message standard supporting the service
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19B. Type of standard for electronic message applied for the service
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20. Technical communication standard
20A. Technical communication standard supporting the service
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20B. Type of technical communication standard applied for the service
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21. Security-related standards*
21A. Security-related standard supporting the service
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21B. Type of security-related standard applied for the service
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22. Other Technical Information
22A. Interface developed for data exchange with an internal system
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22B. Other technical implementation information
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