International Online Dispute Resolution Platforms and Their Impact on Traditional Jurisdiction (A Study in Light of the Singapore Convention Mediation)

This study examines the growing tension between international Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platforms and traditional judicial jurisdiction through an in-depth analysis in light of the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (the 2019 Singapore Convention on Mediation). The proliferation of ODR mechanisms including online negotiation, mediation, and arbitration has challenged the territorial and normative foundations upon which national judicial authority has traditionally been based.

The study identifies the central problem as the absence of a coherent international legal framework capable of reconciling the outcomes of ODR platforms with the jurisdictional prerogatives of domestic courts. It aims to map the structural features of the ODR system, evaluate the normative contribution of the Singapore Convention to the enforcement of settlement agreements resulting from online mediation, analyze its implications for traditional judicial jurisdiction, and propose legally coherent solutions.

Adopting a comparative analytical methodology, the study draws upon judicial decisions, treaty provisions, and scholarly literature published between 2022 and 2026. The research hypothesis posits that, despite its transformative nature, the Singapore Convention remains insufficient as a standalone legal instrument and must be complemented by a comprehensive multilateral framework specifically designed for online dispute resolution. The study concludes that a significant fragmentation of jurisdictional rules persists, thereby necessitating accelerated and coordinated international reform.