By Charlotte Tran In the previous blog post, we have explained why ADR could potentially be an effective tool in reaching an optimal outcome for business-related human rights disputes. The highlights were also dedicated to the approaches of mediation and negotiation in the field. In this blog, we will shift the focus to the use of arbitration on business-related human rights abuses. In recent years, the topic of holding businesses accountable for their involvement in human rights and environmental issues attracted more and more attention from professionals and scholars. With a legislative tren ..read more

By Delilah van Tol It might be fair to say that we all grew up reading, listening, and watching fairytales, one way or another. Fairytales have had a significant impact on our development. For that reason, we hear more often the harm these stories cause on the younger generation. For example, the prince kisses Snow White without her being able to give consent because she is unconscious. It can be argued that storylines like this provide a wrong perspective on what is considered ‘normal’ in reality. Furthermore, the ‘dwarfs’ in Snow White are also considered to be problematic.[1] Given these co ..read more

This blog post is co-authored by Delilah van Tol (Student in International and European Law at The Hague University of Applied Sciences) and Dr. Barbara Warwas and it was first published in the Commercial Arbitration Europe website.[1] Diversity in international arbitration has been a widely discussed topic. All the more so since the Covid-19 pandemic has put the spotlight on the (un)equal playing field for women and minorities within the professional market due to the disproportional burdens of unpaid care performed by these actors. While debate is increasing, positive developments in the fie ..read more

By Charlotte Tran Online dispute resolution (ODR) is known for incorporating technology in facilitating the resolution of disputes between parties and it is often regarded as the online equivalent of the traditional alternative dispute resolution (ADR). It thus primarily involves negotiation, mediation or arbitration, or a combination of all three, with the complementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). With ODR, the process is conducted mainly online, including initial filing, neutral appointment, evidentiary processes, and even oral hearings if necessary. The synergy of I ..read more

By Delilah van Tol Children are the future, a saying used in many different situations. While alternative dispute resolution is growing, are we also focusing on negotiation skills between young children? Do they possess these skills from a young age? Are they losing their skills while growing up in a society that often praises power and hierarchy? Or do parent skills project the wrong communication skills? While we are focusing on raising awareness for alternative dispute resolution methods, why do we not focus on the future; children?   A lot is still unclear when it comes to social inte ..read more

By Delilah van Tol As you might have seen in earlier written blog posts, religion and gods are a returning topic. The impact that gods had and have on cultures and civilizations is significant. Many have heard about the Greek gods or the Buddhist gods, but one country/culture that certainly cannot be missed in this line-up is Egyptian gods. The Egyptian civilization was the preeminent civilization for almost 30 centuries (3.100 B.C. - 332 B.C.). As this is very impressive indeed, it is also essential to establish how they stayed unified for this period of time. Many argue that the Egyptians we ..read more

By Veronika Válová Previous blog post related to disputes within the world of fashion and design provided a short introduction to ADR mechanisms and touched upon initiatives to address those issues. Trends in the fashion industry are changing faster than before, however some iconic pieces are produced over and over again increasing their value as a part of luxury life. We can recall brands such as Chanel, Dior or Balenciaga where pieces of clothes and accessories hold on the top of the fashion industry. Imagine a suit from Chanel made of tweed, a perfectly designed bag from Hermes or an iconic ..read more

By Charlotte Tran   In an effort to present a thorough overview of the topic elaborated in the previous blog post, we will shift the focus here on international arbitration on business-related human rights violations. As previously mentioned, parties to such disputes are big multinational business enterprises (MNEs) and victims are subject to be linked to severe consequences by MNEs’ actions.[1] Sadly, these disputes often take place in regions or countries where judicial system is dysfunctional and politically influenced. Therefore, the victims have very slim chances to bring their case ..read more

By Delilah van Tol The topic of abortion has always been a sensitive topic, which has been generating heated debate. Many questions arise while discussing this topic, especially with countries, or certain parts of countries, where abortion becomes illegal following a long era of legality.. Furthermore, it should be highlighted that there are countries where abortion remains in the sphere of legality but numerous procedural obstacles are added for women to complete this step. For example, in the state of Texas in the United States of America abortion is legal only during the first six weeks. Th ..read more

By Veronika Válová Fashion creations are not protected under traditional forms of intellectual property such as trademarks, patents or copyrights. Designs fall within the category of creative art works together with music records, paintings, books, movies and other forms of expression. [1] Alternative dispute resolutions offer flexible, non-confrontational option with inclusion of experts possessing the knowledge of the proceedings and area of dispute and on the top allow both parties to actively participate in resolving the dispute. There are various mechanisms and practices to be used such a ..read more