[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 24 (Monday, February 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 5158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02174]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 10293]


U.S. Department of State Advisory Committee on Private 
International Law (ACPIL): Public Meeting on Online Dispute Resolution

    The Office of the Assistant Legal Adviser for Private International 
Law, Department of State, hereby gives notice that the APCIL will hold 
a public meeting via teleconference to discuss a pending proposal on 
online dispute resolution (ODR) in the Asia Pacific Economic 
Cooperation forum (APEC). This is not a meeting of the full Advisory 
Committee.
    In February 2017, the APEC Economic Committee endorsed a work plan 
on development of an APEC-wide cooperative framework for ODR for Micro, 
Small, and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in business-to-business 
(B2B) transactions, which is currently co-sponsored by thirteen member 
economies (namely, Australia, Chile, Canada, Hong Kong, China, 
Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russia, 
Chinese Taipei and the United States).
    MSMEs have gained unprecedented access to international trade via 
the global supply chain and cross-border e-commerce, but to effectively 
reach global markets these businesses need a legal environment which 
enables the quick resolution of disputes and creates confidence in 
cross-border e-commerce. The use of ODR could be an effective means to 
solve this problem. ODR is a way of resolving disputes using 
traditional methods such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, 
but with the help of technology and without the need for a physical 
presence at a meeting or hearing.
    At its most recent meeting in August 2017, the APEC Economic 
Committee endorsed a revised work plan on ODR that includes calls to 
inter alia ``build a pilot in conjunction with platform host/ODR 
provider via outreach to regional arbitration/mediation centers to 
determine possible partners for hosting ODR platform.'' Additionally, 
the scope of the project was expanded to include ``Use of Modern 
Technology for Dispute Resolution and Electronic Agreement Management'' 
with the explanation that ``it is also worthwhile to explore the use of 
other modern technology such as block chain, automated or smart 
contracts for contract management or enforcement and prevention of 
disputes.'' The APEC Economic Committee has approved a two-day workshop 
for the first Economic Committee meeting next February to discuss the 
work plan and the pilot proposal.
    This conference call will be a continuation of the conference call 
meeting that was held on November 1, 2017.
    Time and Place: The ACPIL meeting will take place on Thursday, 
February 15, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST via teleconference.
    Public Participation: Those planning to participate should email 
[email protected] to obtain the call-in number.

Michael J. Dennis,
Attorney-Adviser, Office of Private International Law, Office of the 
Legal Adviser, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2018-02174 Filed 2-2-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7410-08-P