The Asian Domain Name Dispute Resolution Centre (ADNDRC) was recently set up in Hong Kong as the SAR is uniquely placed to provide dispute resolution services and it can readily draw upon an international reservoir of specialist legal expertise, according to Neil Kaplan, chairman of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC).

The centre was launched by HKIAC together with the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC). Approved by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), it is only one of four approved dispute resolution service providers in the world, the others being in the US and Europe. Another centre will be opened in Beijing soon managed by CIETAC.

Mr Kaplan spoke on the need to have a centre like ADNDRC with the growth of the Internet and an increased number of businesses going online. “With increased reliance on the use of Internet-based technology in global trade, a suitable forum needs to be in place for the resolution of disputes in a relatively quick, reliable, effective and less costly manner. This will ensure continuing confidence in conducting business transactions over the Internet.”

He added that Hong Kong was the best place for such a centre being the international financial and commercial hub in Asia. “Hong Kong’s empathy with the Asian traditions of mediation and its skill at blending the best of East and West have created the prime centre in Asia for the resolution of disputes. Furthermore, there is a ready pool of qualified professionals, both legal and non-legal, from major international trading nations who can advise on the necessary applicable laws and technical know-how of their different jurisdictions.”

The ADNDRC would provide online dispute resolution services in regard to disputed generic top level domain names such as .com, .net and .org as well as seven names subsequently approved by ICANN such as .biz, .name, .ifo, .pro, .coop, .aero and .museum.

Mr Kaplan added another reason for choosing Hong Kong is ADNDRC’s link with its technology partner Tradelink Electronic Commerce Limited, the largest provider of electronic commerce services in the SAR.

“Tradelink has been a tower of strength in assisting ADNDRC from conceptual design to the implementation of the unique online Domain Name Dispute Resolution System. As a regional centre for resolving Internet-related disputes, Hong Kong continues to show that it remains a gateway for both the Chinese mainland and Asia.”