Kirsty Newman 19:39, 2 Sep 2004 (EST)
One of the major problems with electronic contracts is enforcing them or resolving a dispute between parties over the contract. Although this can be done by existing courts, it is a slow and cumbersome process. Furthermore, local courts will not have a global effect, and since the Internet is a global medium this will not go far enough.
In response to this problem the Virtual Magistrate Project commenced in 1996, which is an American based project sponsored by the National Center for Automated Information Research (NCAIR) and the Cyberspace Law Institute (CCI). At the moment this project mainly deals with issues such as copyright or trademark infringement, and privacy issues, to only name a few (see http://www.vmag.org/docs/press/030496.html), and it fails to address disputes that arise out of electronically formed contracts. However, its goal is to accept complaints about Internet related activities at a later date (The Virtual Magistrate Project, 1996). In the law of contracts therefore, it will be important to watch this project and see where it will lead in the progression of enforcement of electronic contracts.
The Virtual Magistrate Project. (1996) 'Concept Paper', [Online]. Available: http://www.vmag.org/docs/concept.html [Accessed 17 October 2004].
E-commerce_and_the_Law
Kirsty Newman 11:07, 26 Oct 2004 (EST)
