The Research and Development (R&D) Centre at Equa Dispute Resolution Platform is a dynamic hub dedicated to advancing knowledge and fostering innovation in the field of mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Our R&D Centre provides a platform for candidates to engage in cutting-edge research activities, explore emerging trends, and contribute to the development of the field.

At Equa's R&D Centre, we believe that research plays a vital role in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of dispute resolution processes. We offer a supportive and stimulating environment where candidates can undertake rigorous research projects, collaborate with experienced mentors, and engage with a diverse community of scholars and practitioners.

Candidates at Equa's R&D Centre have the opportunity to delve into various aspects of mediation and ADR, such as exploring novel mediation techniques, analyzing the impact of cultural dynamics on dispute resolution, examining the role of technology in enhancing access to justice, and evaluating the effectiveness of different ADR models in specific contexts.

Through their research activities, candidates contribute to the advancement of knowledge and understanding in the field. They are encouraged to conduct empirical studies, analyze case studies, review existing literature, and propose innovative approaches that can inform and shape the practice of mediation and ADR.

Equa's R&D Centre also fosters collaboration with academic institutions, research organizations, and industry experts. Through partnerships and joint initiatives, candidates have the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary research, participate in conferences and workshops, and exchange ideas with leading professionals in the field.

The outcomes of research conducted at Equa's R&D Centre are disseminated through publications, conferences, and other relevant platforms. By sharing their findings and insights, candidates contribute to the broader knowledge base and help drive the evolution of mediation and ADR practices.

Equa's R&D Centre is committed to nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and promoting continuous learning and development in the field of dispute resolution. Through our research activities, we aim to enhance the understanding of mediation and ADR, drive positive change in the industry, and ultimately contribute to the advancement of justice and peace in society.

Informality with proceedings resolution is the primary premise of alternative settlement of disputes. Each year, more than one billion transactions are anticipated to take place online. In a globalized context, many disputes over these transactions are resolved ‘online' utilizing a variety of ADR methods (ODR). Changing and developing technology is also important in the ongoing evolution of ADR procedures. Many dispute resolution processes can be supplemented and supported by technology, and advances in artificial intelligence suggest that technology will help parties and dispute resolution practitioners to isolate areas of agreement and disagreement where ADR may have had a limited application in the future. In the application of Artificial Intelligence to streamlining dispute processes and disputants, online settlement may help resolve conflicts, keep the classic informality, cost-effectiveness and speed. Online Conflict Resolution referred to dispute resolution methods based on information and links. The aim of this study is to focus on the various benefits which the judicial system in India will have with the introduction of artificial intelligence tools in mediation and alternative dispute resolution. The study will focus on the relief that the judiciary will get as it can be seen that due to lack of time the apex court is flooded with numerous pending cases so adding AI in the mediation would be like a cherry on the cake as this would assist in speedy disposal of the pending cases. The study will also focus on the issues that the judicial system in India would face while implementing the AI tools. Even though people can resolve disputes erroneously, society may still be using human judges instead of giving full authority over a machine. The study concludes that there is a belief of justice to be a unique ideal that artificial intelligence can find very difficult to perform regardless of its level of programming expertise.

The Centre plans on combining the law and the research on the practical aspect of law, and thereby, provide people with tailor-made solutions for their everyday legal issues. It further aims to make people aware of their legal rights and interests. 

The Research Centre is an opportunity for the researchers to foster in-depth learning in their niche areas, and will also help them expand their reach. The Centre will provide a platform for students, academicians, researchers, lawyers, etc. to put forward their views and understanding of law. 

At the advent of technology , we find ourselves being a part of the realm of transformative experiment , redesigning the world as we know it in order to cater to a global online community. This world is made of codes and electrons allowing us to traverse the continuum of space and time, however, it is essential to converge the continuously evolving needs of the people with the rapidly evolving technology.

In the present times , our justice system is clogged with the backlog of cases and mismanagement ensuing from it , therefore , it is essential to encourage adaptation and fill the gap between the current justice system and modern decentralised online world.

Equa Research Centre aims at providing policy infrastructure to bridge this gap and has a diverse research team specialising in Blockchain Technology , software development , computer science , Business and Alternate Dispute Resolution and Online Dispute Resolution.

Some of ours Research Focus Areas are:

·       Online Dispute Resolution

·       Smart Contracts

·       Blockchain Technology

• The traditional judicial system lacks efficiency due to multiple reasons such as overburden work, lack of required courts or judges, delay in justice, complex processes of courts, higher costs and so on.

• The extensive promotion and proliferation of alternative dispute resolution methods, use of new techniques and technologies inside the court room as well as outside the court room are the important factors which have given rise to the virtual dispute resolution. 

• The arbitration and conciliation Act, 1996 was enacted to modernize the old Act, of 1940 which is a comprehensive piece of legislation enacted in consonance with the UNCITRAL model law. Further, the amendments Act of 2015 and 2019 have made it more relevant to the modern day era thereby accepting the clause of arbitration in online agreements. 

• The commercial disputes can be resolved with the method wherein the disputes are submitted to an independent private tribunal that decides disputes after having allowed the parties to make necessary representation. 

• The traditional mechanisms are lagging behind technology. The present legal remedies in the context of online transactions are not the most effective means of redress because of the nature of long-distance transactions and jurisdictional issues. 

• The main problems with the online transactions are basically lack of trust and confidence. The Equa builds trust in transactions, keeps customers satisfied, preserves relationships and shields the company from liability. It also works as a tool of online reputation management (ORM). 

• The E-commerce transactions are borderless and if any dispute arises in such transactions, it becomes very difficult for the aggrieved the party to take legal action because of high cost and delay in disposal of disputes in international litigation, the issues of enforcement and jurisdiction. Under such circumstances, the virtual dispute resolution can be vital in building trust and confidence for the e-commerce industry. In India, the awareness relating to electronic commerce is growing and it has covered all businesses.

• The use of information technology in the online transaction has boosted the ability of citizens to access justice. Equa platform also provides quick and affordable advise to the users of consumers. These system also form the basis for e-governance and e-commerce. 

• The use of ICT is also helpful in providing transparency in the judiciary by offering open access to the public and providing both general and specific information on its activities which will also assists to increase legitimacy of the justice delivery system.

• The virtual dispute resolution is a combination of both information technology law and artificial intelligence applied to law. 

• The disputes have become international, complex, include multi party proceedings, mass claims whereas, the cost constraints remained critical and demand for speedy justice has increased. That is why the traditional ADR system without the use of ICT has become less effective for the resolution of disputes. The IT tools available at Equa platform have the ability to reduce time and cost radically and thereby maintaining a required level of access to justice for all. 

• There are many parties to the disputes. The technical player is considered as fifth party to the dispute which can help in resolution of dispute i.e. provider of dispute resolution services. The Equa is fifth party to the dispute resolution system. 

• It is possible that abilities of information processing tools will expend and need and demand for Nobel dispute resolution institutions will arise.

• Due to increased use of information and communication technology, the need of online dispute resolution has also increased. It is believed that the ODR system will make delivery of justice speedier and more efficient. 

• To critically analyze and compare the traditional dispute resolution system and ports system in the prospective of 21st century. To identify the area, scope and application of ODR system. To analyze the ODR mechanism and international level and application of the current practice in the Indian scenario. 

• The analyze whether ODR mechanism is compatible in present Indian legal setup. To find out the ways of application of ODR in the traditional offline dispute resolution system. The explore the need of ODR in India.