The Chinese Government is expecting an upturn in domestic disputes as its populace returns to work following the coronavirus epidemic.

The State is advising dispute resolution organisations across the country to beef up online dispute resolution mechanisms to deal with expected debt issues, labour disputes, and work injury matters.

It wants the available resources to go mainstream and move beyond e-commerce disputes and domain names disputes.

Service payment should also be deferred if necessary, the Government says, in the event of financial difficulty.

Internet arbitration systems should be accelerated, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said, in order to normalise the economy after it ground to a halt due to COVID-19.

Peak infection

Confirmed new case numbers have dropped in recent days, following a peak infection level of more than 80,000 patients.

The MoJ wants online case management systems beefed up and more user-friendly interfaces put into place.

Most Chinese lawyers and business people have been in lockdown since the outbreak began in January.

Resumption of work

“Arbitral awards must be quickly handed out as they may facilitate the resumption of work,” the MoJ says.

“Arbitral proceedings may only be postponed if they cannot be conducted online and delaying them will not affect resumption of work for any of the parties involved.