Online Dispute Resolution, E-Government and Overcoming the Digital Divide

Electronic-government (e-government) involves “[t]he use of technology to enhance the access to and delivery of government services to benefit citizens, business partners and employees”.[1] One government service in particular that has much to gain from e-government is the court service, because courts in most jurisdictions have experienced and continue to experience problems with backlogs and delays. With the injection of information and communications technology (ICT) into the administration of justice the delivery of court services can be far more efficient. Whereas this can mean streamlining and improving the delivery of court services, for example, automating and information practices such as the distribution of court documents, the performance of court procedures and the management of the court in general, it can also refer to reengineering the delivery of justice, i.e. finding new and more efficient ways of resolving disputes. In particular dispute resolution methods such as litigation or Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) can be carried out online.