E-MEP Calls for On-Line Dispute Resolution

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th Oct 1999

At a meeting of the European Parliament Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market, Diana Wallis MEP called on the European Commission to draw up plans for EU-wide small claims procedure and out-of-court settlement system.

Speaking to a meeting discussing EU regulation of trade over the Internet attended by representatives from the Commission and the European Council, Diana Wallis said:

"We have to achieve a balance. A balance between protecting and nurturing the consumer, and the rights of the sole trader or small business man who invests his life savings in trading over the Internet."

Diana called on the Commission to:

"…produce proposals for an EU-wide small claims procedure and a new EU out-of-court settlement system…

"…there have been papers and suggestions about simple forms of consumer dispute resolution dating back to the mid-eighties, now is the time to get on with it.

"…this would allow industry time to prepare itself for the new system by drawing up schemes."

Ultimately, Diana hoped, the EU would move towards a system of on-line dispute resolution:

"A system of site certification would be of great assistance in creating a climate of confidence on the Internet. On-line dispute-settlement systems and, who knows, perhaps one day cyber courts would be one way of tackling this problem."

In response to Diana's speech, the Commission have said that they are organising a conference on small claims procedures across the EU. Diana has welcomed this announcement, hoping that it will be followed up promptly.