Welcome to the Gold Standard of ODR Learning

Effective immediately, our Associate ODR Professional (ODR-Associate) level course is now available for enrolment. Dates for advanced-level courses will be announced later.

Why CIRC - WeVaad ODR Learning?

“Online Dispute Resolution” is a digital space for the public to resolve their dispute efficiently, effectively and transparently by anybody from anywhere at a fraction of the cost and time. Online dispute resolution delimits the procedural and structural impediments of the traditional “courts of justice” established by law and thus accelerates “Ease of Justice”. In the present-day scenario, Online dispute resolution has the potential to facilitate access to justice as a ‘convenient service’ to litigants and thus reduce the substantial burden of traditional courts.

We find that Online Dispute Redressal techniques are already being deployed around the world in resolving a wide range of disagreements – from consumer disputes to problems arising from e-commerce, from quarrels amongst citizens to conflicts between individuals and the state. ODR is not appropriate for all classes of dispute but, on the face of it, is best placed to help settle high volumes of relatively low-value disputes – robustly, but at much less expense and inconvenience than conventional courts. We find that the concept of ODR is widely accepted in India. There is a growing trend of Court assisted online dispute resolution. There are few successful implementations of the ODR policies, viz., the Reserve Bank of India released an ODR policy for digital payments, the MSME sector saw the introduction of the SAMADHAAN portal and Integrated Consumer Grievance Redressal Mechanism (INGRAM) etc. However, as reiterated by several Learned Judges of the Supreme Court of India, ODR is at its embryonic stage. Comprehensive policy development and trained ODR professionals are needed to implement ODR in India efficiently.

CIRC - Pioneer in Offering Research-Based Capacity Building

CUTS Institute for Regulation & Competition (CIRC) is a think-tank and capacity-building organization in the area of law and economics. The institute operates in five thematic areas, namely: Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), Competition Law and Policy, Digital Economy Regulation, Market/ Economic Regulation, and Sustainability and Infrastructure Regulation.

WeVaad - Pioneer in LegalTech

WeVaad https://www.wevaad.com/ is an online dispute resolution institution which conducts institutional arbitration, institutional meditation and institutional conciliation. Through these modes, disputes are resolved online within 30-90 days. WeVaad is founded at the confluence of law and technology by individuals who are experienced in these two fields to ensure that we leverage technology to provide cost-efficient and time-bound dispute resolution to disputing parties.
WeVaad is empaneled with Hon'ble Bombay High Court, Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and Sahamati.

Research & Publication

➤ Taking a Cue from Mediation in Insolvency of Lehman Brothers, July 23' 2023 Read more...

➤ Redefining Legal Professions on the Anvil of Tech Transformation, July 7' 2023 Read more...

CIRC and WeVaad have come together to create a world-class Certification Pathways in Online Dispute Resolution with a view that a well-developed and robust ODR framework requires well-trained professionals to build trust in the end users– individuals, businesses and Government, as duly noted by the NITI Aayog Expert Committee on ODR in “Designing the Future of Dispute Resolution: The ODR Policy Plan for India”, October 2021.

This capacity-building programme is designed in the light of a statement made in UNCITRAL Technical Notes, 2017 on ODR “best practices”, i.e. it must reflect the principles of impartiality, independence, efficiency, effectiveness, due process, fairness, accountability, and transparency.

Learning Objectives :

  • Capacity Building of ADR/ODR professionals to enable them to practice as a Certified Arbitrator, Certified Mediator, Certified Negotiator and/ or Certified ODR Professional.
  • Development of ADR/ODR policy and institutional framework in tune with global standards.
  • Inculcate process discipline in ADR and ODR practices to facilitate “access to justice” as a “convenient service”..
  • Explore and review the international practices of ADR and/or ODR in dispute resolution.
  • Raising public awareness of dispute resolution through ADR and/or ODR.

The ODR Certifications are rigorous and challenging learning pathway. The overall learning pathway is designed as a 10-month comprised of 14 modules and more than 400 hours of learning. The learning pathway has been divided into three levels, on the lines suggested by the New Education Policy (NEP), with an option to enter and exit at any stage. The programme will be delivered in an online learning format that minimises disruption at work.

The key features of the programme are:

  • Live Face-to-Face Learning: The participants are required to attend assigned live face-to-face Learning Hours for each Course Module.
  • Materials: are expected to spend required learning hours studying reading material before classes commence each term. The reading material specific to learning modules, along with academic papers, book chapters, teaching cases, media articles and videos, is made available to all participants in advance.
  • Technology-Assisted ODR Simulations: The learners will have an opportunity to undergo active ODR simulations at the WeVaad ODR Platform. In addition, the technology-assisted component of the programme will be delivered via a combination of synchronous sessions, asynchronous modules, online quizzes, assignments and other tools depending on the needs of that particular course and the preference of the respective faculty. Online interactive sessions and active simulations on online dispute resolution will be conducted through digital platforms.
  • Assignments: assignments are divided into live sessions and practical sessions. Individual assignments take the form of online and in-class quizzes, online discussion forums, role play and case studies and may be in the form of presentations and ODR study reports.

Effective immediately, our Associate ODR Professional (ODR-Associate) level course is now available for enrolment. Dates for advanced-level courses will be announced later.

Course Structure: The 40-week Capacity Building Programme on Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) course will be offered at three Levels:

Level Course Number of Learning Modules Course Credit Duration Total Learning Hours
I Associate ODR Professional (ODR-Associate) 4 1 4 Weeks 30
II Certified ODR Professional (ODR-Pro) 9 4 16 Weeks 150
III Fellow ODR Professional (ODR-Fellow) 14 10 40 Weeks 450

The Certificate Courses offered under this training programme are available to all, be it students of any discipline, professionals and academicians subject to pre-requisite of each course. The following person could be the beneficiary of ODR Learning Programme:

  • Arbitrators, Mediators and Advocates
  • National and International Students of Law, Commerce, Economics, CA, CS, CMA, CFA, MBA etc.
  • Professionals like Counsels, Economists, Academicians, CA, CS, CMA, CFA, MBA, etc.
  • Court Associates and officers working in Court-Annexed Mediation Centers.
  • Employees of Regulatory Authorities like SEBI, RBI, IBBI, ICAI, ICSI, etc.
  • Executives working in Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs)
  • Personnel from Government Departments/ Ministries
  • Executives of Public or Private Sector Enterprises
  • Officers Handling Disputes in Banks
  • Retired Government Officers interested in becoming ODR Professionals.
  • Officers Handling Disputes in MSMEs.
  • Officers Handling Disputes in Insurance Sector.
  • Officers Handling Disputes in Public/Private Companies.

Assosciate ODR Professional (ODR-Associate)- Level 1

Effective immediately, our Associate ODR Professional (ODR-Associate) level course is now available for enrolment. Dates for advanced-level courses will be announced later.

Level Course Eligibility/ Pre-Requisite Learning Outcomes Learning Modules
I Assosciate ODR Professional
(ODR-Associate)

This 1-month course is designed for beginners who have an interest in having the knowledge and skills in online dispute resolution that is required for individuals at any level of an organisation and across a broad range of industries and business functions.

Certification Conferred:
Certifying that the participant has completed 30 hours of Associate Level training in ADR- Mediation, Arbitration & Negotiation and ODR- Online Dispute Resolution to be an Associate ADR ODR Professional.

The participants may use the post-certification letters “ODR-Associate” to build an image as an Associate ODR Practitioner.

This course is available to the following :


➤ National or international Students of any discipline,

➤ Academicians, Professionals, Employees of Regulatory Authorities,

➤ Personnel from Government Departments/ Ministries, and

➤ Executives of Public or Private Sector Enterprises

➤ Knowledge of Online Dispute Resolution.


➤ Understanding of various methods of Online Dispute Resolution.

➤ Roadmap of resolving a dispute through Online Dispute Resolution.

➤ Adapting online process of case management through Online Dispute Resolution.

➤ Familiarize yourself with Online Dispute Resolution happening around the world.

Module I

Introduction to Online Dispute Resolution

Module II

Methods of Online Dispute Resolution

Module III

The Process of Online Dispute Resolution

Module IV

Online Dispute Resolution Around the World

Certified ODR Professional (ODR-Pro)- Level 2

Level Course Eligibility/ Pre-Requisite Learning Outcomes Learning Modules
II Certified ODR Professional (ODR-Pro)

This 3-month course builds on the Associate Level and is designed for professionals who wish to practice ODR.

Certification Conferred:
Certifying that the participant has completed 150 hours of Certified Level training in ADR- Mediation, Arbitration & Negotiation and ODR-Online Dispute Resolution to be a Certified ADR ODR Professional. The participant has successfully completed 40 plus hours of Training in Skills of Mediation to be a Certified Mediator. A Certified ADR ODR Professional can practice as a Certified Arbitrator, Certified Mediator, Certified Negotiator and Certified ODR Professional.

The participants may use post-certification letters “ODR-Pro” to build an image as Certified ODR Practitioner.

This course is available to the following :


➤ National or international Students of any discipline,

➤ Academicians, Professionals, Employees of Regulatory Authorities,

➤ Personnel from Government Departments/ Ministries, and

➤ Executives of Public or Private Sector Enterprises.Subject to a participant should have completed Associate ODR Professional Level (ODR-Associate) OR

➤ The Participants have credits equivalent to ODR Professional (ODR-Associate) (To be assessed and approved by CIRC)

➤ Overview of stages of dispute resolution through Online Dispute Resolution.

➤ Knowledge of communication through Online Dispute Resolution (both synchronous and asynchronous)

➤ Understanding of psychology, diversity and online behaviours and cross-cultural communication

➤ Adapting offline Alternative Dispute Redressal Techniques with Information and communication technology in Online Dispute Resolution.

➤ Training in process discipline, time management and integrity in case management to build trust in Online Dispute Resolution.

Modules I to IV and add on modules as below:

Module V

The Stages of Online Dispute Resolution

Module VI

Communication Skills in Online Dispute Resolution

Module VII

Mediation, Negotiation and Conciliation Practice in ODR

Module VIII

Arbitration Procedure and Practice in ODR

Module IX

Case Management in Online Dispute Resolution

Fellow ODR Professional (ODR-Fellow)- Level 3

Level Course Eligibility/ Pre-Requisite Learning Outcomes Learning Modules
III Fellow ODR Professional (ODR-Fellow)

This 6-month course builds on the Certified Professional Level and is designed for those who wish to acquire advanced professional skills in ODR.

Certification Conferred:
Certifying that the participant has completed 450 hours of Fellow Level training in ADR- Mediation, Arbitration & Negotiation and ODR-Online Dispute Resolution to be a Fellow ADR ODR Professional. The participant has successfully completed 200 plus hours of Training in Skills of Mediation to be a World Class Qualified Mediator. A Fellow ADR ODR Professional can practice as a Fellow Arbitrator, Fellow Mediator, Fellow Negotiator and Fellow ODR Professional.

The participants may use post-certification letters “ODR-Fellow” to build an image as Fellow ODR Practitioner.

This course is available to the following :


➤ National or international Students of any discipline,

➤ Academicians, Professionals, Employees of Regulatory Authorities,

➤ Personnel from Government Departments/ Ministries, and

➤ Executives of Public or Private Sector Enterprises.

➤ The Participants should have completed the Certified ODR Professional (ODR-Pro) Level; OR

➤ The Participants have credits equivalent to Certified ODR Professional (ODR-Pro) Level (To be assessed and approved by CIRC)

➤ Knowledge of the development of Online Dispute Resolution by advancement in Information and Communication Technology or by Law in Changing Society.

➤ Adapting standard best practices to prepare and conduct online mediation, negotiation, conciliation and arbitration.

➤ The participants will be facilitated in building alliances and handling multinational mediation, negotiations and arbitration.

➤ Ethical training of ODR providers to inculcate process discipline, including fairness, due process, transparency, accountability, neutral selection and appointment and the performance of their ODR platforms.

➤ Understanding the status of Online Dispute Resolution in India as compared to Other Jurisdictions in light of “Global Best Practices”.

Modules I to IX and add on modules as below:

Module X

Future of ODR as Digital Public Goods

Module XI

International Best Practices in ODR

Module XII

International Practice of Mediation, Negotiation and Conciliation in ODR

Module XIII

International Practice and Arbitration Advocacy in ODR

Module XIV

National and International Practice of Online Grievance Redressal

Effective immediately, our Associate ODR Professional (ODR-Associate) level course is now available for enrolment. Dates for advanced-level courses will be announced later.

Courses Covered Registration Opens Registration Closes Commencement of Programme Scheduled Date of Completion
Level I Associate ODR Practitioner (ODR-Associate) 14 March 2024 Midnight of 10 May 2024 11 May 2024 01 June 2024
Level I Associate ODR Practitioner (ODR-Associate)
Level II Certified ODR Practitioner (ODR-Pro)
------ ------ ------ ------
Level I Associate ODR Practitioner (ODR-Associate)
Level II Certified ODR Practitioner (ODR-Pro)
Level III Fellow ODR Practitioner (ODR-Fellow)
------ ------ ------ ------

Tuition Fee includes:

    ➤ Live face-to-face Lectures

    ➤ Course Material

    ➤ Access to a digital platform for practical sessions and active simulations.

    ➤ Faculty support

    ➤ IT & Infrastructure support

    ➤ Webinars & Social Events

Effective immediately, our Associate ODR Professional (ODR-Associate) level course is now available for enrolment. Dates for advanced-level courses will be announced later.

Duration Certificate Courses Covered Credit Number of Modules Category Tuition Fee
1 Month:
➤ Level I Associate ODR Professional
➤ Level I ODR Professional
(ODR Associate)
1 4 Student
(50% Students Discount)
Rs 2,500/-
+(18% GST)
Professional Rs 5,000/-
+(18% GST)
Total 4 Months:
➤ 1 Month for Level I Associate ODR Professional
➤ 3 Months for Level II Certified ODR Professional(ODR-Pro)

Level I Associate ODR Practitioner
(ODR Associate)

Level II Certified ODR Professional
(ODR-Pro)

9 4 Student
(50% Students Discount)
-----
Professional -----
Total 10 Months:
➤ 1 Month for Level I Level I Associate ODR Professional (ODR Associate)
➤ 3 Months Level II Certified ODR Professional (ODR-Pro)
➤ 6 Months of Level III Fellow ODR Professional(ODR-Fellow)

Level I Associate ODR Practitioner
(ODR Associate)

Level II Certified ODR Professional
(ODR-Pro)

Level III Fellow ODR Professional
(ODR-Fellow)

10 14 Student
(50% Students Discount)
-----
Professional -----

NOTE:

  • An early bird tuition fee waiver equivalent to 10% will be admissible if you are enrolling before 15 April 2024.
  • A 10% tuition fee waiver will be admissible if you are enrolling in a group of three or more participants.
  • Cancellation & Refund Policy:

    As you will be aware, the CUTS Institute for Regulation & Competition’s educational provision, products and services are scheduled months in advance and have, therefore, the following cancellation policy.
    CUTS Institute for Regulation & Competition does not accept cancellation and or refund requests for any of its provisions, products and services purchased online as follows:

    • CUTS Institute for Regulation & Competition student enrolment, examinations entry/registration become effective instantaneously as soon as a student has paid for, and as such, CUTS Institute for Regulation & Competition does not refund once a student is enrolled.
    • Examination and student membership fees are non-refundable once a student’s account is activated.
    • Because of the upfront investment in training materials and administrative details, workshop and services fees are non-refundable, and cancellations are not permitted. For more details, Read more...
➤ 1. What is ODR? Read more...
➤ 2. Who is conducting this ODR Professional Training Programme? Read more...
➤ 3. Who can enrol for this course?Read more...
➤ 4. Why should I join this course?Read more...
➤ 5. Why Train With Us?Read more...
➤ 6. What is Programme Curriculum?Read more...
➤ 7. What is the pedagogy of the ODR Learning Programme?Read more...
➤ 8. Will I get a certificate?Read more...
➤ 9. What certification will this course confer? Read more...
➤ 10. When will the lectures be conducted?Read more...
➤ 11. What is the duration of this ODR Professional Programme?Read more...
➤ 12. Can we choose among the three Certificate Courses?Read more...
➤ 13. What is the pre-requisite for the Certificate Course? Read more...
➤ 14. Are there any Credits for the Courses under this ODR Professional Programme?Read more...
➤ 15. Is it compulsory to complete the Level I Associate ODR Professional to enrol for the Level II Certified ODR Professional or Level III Fellow ODR Professional?Read more...
➤ 16. Will the classes be held online? Read more...
➤ 17. What are the specifications of the computers I need for these certificate courses? Read more...
➤ 18. Will there be an Assessment? Read more...
➤ 19. What does the tuition fee include? Read more...
➤ 20. What is the Fee Structure? Read more...
➤ 21. Can I enrol for Level I or Level II and enrol for Level III subsequently? Read more...
➤ 22. What is the Programme Schedule?Read more...
➤ 23. What is the process of Registration?Read more...
➤ 24. Is admission open for all the three levels of learning?Read more...
➤ 25. Who can I speak with?Read more...

Enquire now