EDR Outline

Introduction

e-gree is committed to provide its users with an alternative to current legal systems. This commitment includes providing a truly global dispute resolution process.

When it comes to dispute resolution, e-gree believes that the current legal system is broken. It requires an aggrieved party to hire high-priced lawyers to access overburdened courts to engage in drawn out litigation driven by arcane rules only to then be forced into a frustrating collection process that is hamstrung by jurisdictional requirements and “judgment proof” debtors.

e-gree aims to change all that. Our goal with the e-gree Dispute Resolution Process (“EDR”) is that any user, anywhere in the world, can enter into an e-greement with anyone else anywhere in the world- for any amount- and if a dispute arises, the dispute will be resolved fairly, quickly, efficiently and with the prevailing party being made whole.

How Does EDR Work?

The EDR Process combines traditional mediation and arbitration proceedings with appeals to the e-gree community for assistance in resolving the dispute and, if necessary, for funding to accomplish such resolution.

EDR Facilitation Stage

When a party initiates the EDR process, an e-gree Facilitator is appointed to oversee the process. The Facilitator is neutral and is selected by the parties from a pool that consists of both experienced e-gree users and legal professionals associated with or employed by e-gree. There is a small administrative fee to initiate the EDR Facilitation Stage.

The Facilitator conducts an initial online conference with both parties. The parties may not be represented by counsel at this stage. However, the parties may provide any documentary evidence or witness statements to the Facilitator. The purpose of this conference is for the Facilitator to provide the parties with an initial assessment of the dispute and to recommend and prompt an early settlement.

EDR Forum Stage

If no early settlement is possible, The Facilitator then opens up the proceedings to the e-gree community by posting information about the dispute to the EDR Forum including the Facilitator’s initial assessment of the dispute. At this stage, the parties are also permitted to post a Party Appeal to the EDR Forum in favor of their respective positions. The Party Appeal may include any additional witness statements, declarations or other evidence. Each party may prepare its own Appeal, hire outside counsel to do so, or they may enlist, for a fee, specialists provided by E-gree to prepare it on their behalf.

The EDR Forum is open to registered users of the e-gree App and, for a specified time period, users may post comments and opinion regarding the dispute. In response to the party Appeals, Users may also contribute or pledge funds on behalf of either party towards satisfying any ultimate award.

EDR Decision Stage

When the EDR Forum closes, the Facilitator assesses the community input, the Appeals by the Parties, including any further evidence submitted in support of those Appeals, as well as any funds pledged by the e-gree community. The Facilitator fashions an EDR Decision based on this information and presents that EDR Decision to the Parties. The Facilitator’s decision will include an award to the prevailing party in the amount equal to the amount of any funds pledged. At the Facilitator’s discretion, the Facilitator may also increase (but never decrease) this amount.

The EDR Decision is final. Any funds pledged during the EDR Forum stage are provided to the Prevailing party and the matter is closed. If the EDR Decision requires the losing Party to pay any additional monies, that party is permitted a period of 30 days to make the required payment. If the payment is not made, the Facilitator will issue to the Prevailing Party an EDR Arbitration Award order in the amount of the outstanding amount payment. The Prevailing Party may then seek confirmation of that award in a court of competent jurisdiction.

Full Rules of the EDR Process can be found HERE.