How do we ensure that dispute resolution pathways are simple, cost-effective and deliver justice to people and organizations?

This policy brief outlines major developments and issues in consumer dispute resolution systems in Europe that were highlighted at the conference 'Consumer ADR: Delivering Fairness and Justice for Consumers, Business and Markets' held at Wolfson College, Oxford on 18 and 19 March 2019.

Drawing on the scientific findings of behavioural psychology research, the authors find that there is little empirical evidence that traditional theories of deterrence affect future business behaviour, and that a collaborative, positive approach between business and regulators is most effective in improving behaviour along ethical lines. 

A proposal for an alternative approach to ensure the rapid resolution and redress of cases involving the families of infants injured at birth. This policy brief outlines a governance and operating model for the Rapid Resolution and Redress Scheme for serious birth injuries, including a fully costed business process for its delivery.

This Policy Brief summarizes the findings of a joint project between Oxford University and the Catholic University of Leuven aimed at evaluating different mechanisms for delivering collective redress. It identifies eleven principles for market regulation, and the three principal goals for collective redress of delivering compensation, affecting the future behaviour of markets, and achieving these goals in a timely and cost-efficient way. 

This policy brief outlines the concept of Ethical Business Regulation (EBR), which aims to foster a business culture of mutual engagement, respect, learning, and constant improvement, based on social trust.

This policy brief reports on the main conclusions from an international conference held at Wolfson College, Oxford, at which representatives from seven governments, ombudsmen, and academic experts assessed efforts to implement new dispute resolution mechanisms across EU Member States. 

To improve access to justice for consumers in the European single market, an EU Directive on consumer Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) (2013/11/EU) was introduced in May 2013, and came into force in every EU member state on 9 July 2015.