International Court of Dispute Resolution Online (ICDRO) is a semi-autonomous division of ABS&P International Law Firm which provides ADR policy Advisory, Nomination and Early Neutral Evaluation services exclusively.

  • ICDRO can advise government, or judicial stakeholders on ADR systems and enablement. Register interest in our ADR policy and advisory service via our Contact Page.

  • Where requested, ICDRO is able to nominate arbitrators or and mediators to hear commercial disputes. You can find out more about our nomination service via our Contact Page.

  • Disputing parties may apply to the Chief Registrar of ICDRO at any time for ICDRO to conduct an Early Neutral Evaluation ("ENE") of their dispute. The ENE would be non-binding unless the parties agree otherwise. The ENE would serve to assist the parties (at relatively low cost) to get an expert assessment of how matters are likely to proceed should full mediation, arbitration, or litigation proceedings ensue in their matter.Book Your Early Neutral Evaluation via our Contact Page.

  • Procedural Rules of ICDRO

About ICDRO

Mission

Inspired by the UK’s progressive ADR initiatives, particularly the Court of Appeal’s landmark ruling in Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil [2023] EWCA Civ 1416, ICDRO’s current mission is to popularize ADR worldwide. This mission encompasses both institutional and private/commercial applications, aiming to streamline dispute resolution, reduce court backlogs, and lower legal administration costs while preserving the role of lawyers and ensuring fair outcomes compliant with Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights. ICDRO seeks to adapt and scale the UK’s ADR model globally and to collaborate with organizations like the UN and bar associations for the promotion of efficient, cost-effective, and accessible dispute resolution systems.

Board of Advisors

ICDRO maintains a Board of Advisors (BOA), comprising Council Members and headed by the President of the Board. The BOA provides guidance on ICDRO’s corporate operations, excluding financial management, as per ICDRO’s private ADR court Rules. While the BOA’s advice is informative, it is not binding on ICDRO or ABS&P unless formally adopted. The BOA and its members bear no liability for ICDRO’s corporate or financial decisions.

Fees

ICDRO is committed to delivering its services on a pro bono basis as a fully online, ad hoc ADR court accessible worldwide. Operational costs are covered through voluntary donations from the parties it serves.

Rules

ICDRO’s Rules outline its operational methods and personnel structure.

Why ICDRO?

Led by distinguished experts such as James Corbett KC (President), Sir Robert Buckland KC (former UK Lord Chancellor, Deputy President), and Jane Gunn (former CIArb President), Deputy President, ICDRO has a proven track record.

Notable achievements include the 2019 Solomon Islands ADR Policy Reform conference, organized by Vantage10 Panel of Mediators & Experts, ICDRO’s predecessor.

ICDRO’s leadership also includes Dr. Andre Alexander (Chief Registrar), Dr. Paul Chiy (President of the Board of Advisors), Nicole Papantoniou (Vice President), and Ms. Anne Regier (Registrar), who collectively, contribute substantial international expertise to ADR reform.

Key Benefits of ADR Policy Reform

  • Improved Access to Justice: By adopting frameworks like Early Neutral Evaluation and hybrid ADR models, ICDRO facilitates faster, fairer resolutions.

  • Cost Efficiency: Drawing from UK reforms, ICDRO promotes systemic ADR to reduce litigation costs and court delays through tools like mandatory small claims mediation and online platforms.

  • Support for Lawyers: ICDRO’s structured ADR referrals, mediation advocacy training, and judicial guidance enhance collaboration with legal professionals.

Our Vision

ICDRO’s vision is to build global confidence in ADR among professionals and the public by implementing cost-effective, scalable systems that uphold judicial integrity. Our work, inspired by the UK’s ADR advancements, focuses on creating efficient civil justice systems worldwide, fostering collaboration with international and regional bodies to ensure accessibility and effectiveness.

Corporate Structure & Ownership

Since March 23rd, 2023, the International Court of Dispute Resolution Online (ICDRO) has operated as a semi-autonomous Committee, or Division, of ABS&P International Law Firm ("ABS&P"), a division of Alexander Byrne Sidhu & Partners SA, registered in the National Registry of Costa Rica under Number 3-101-814796. ABS&P is a corporation providing legal and allied business services, regulated under the Commercial Code of Costa Rica and is subject to the regulatory oversight of the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC).

Our History

ICDRO originated as a division of Vantage10 Panel of Mediators & Experts, recognized as a professional organization by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and included on List 3. In 2023, all operations of Vantage10 were transferred to ABS&P, and ICDRO was restructured to function quasi-autonomously as an online Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) court. Since September 2023, ICDRO has focused exclusively on providing ADR policy advisory, nomination, and early neutral evaluation services.

People

Contact ICDRO

Please use this form to contact ICDRO to enquire about our services or to contact any of our members. Our response time is within 12 hours.