Study on consumers’ attitudes vis-à-vis the Consumer Mediation Service in Belgium
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Guest lecture International Commercial Courts Cyprus
Xandra Kramer gave a guest lecture on ‘International commercial courts: a game changer in international litigation?’ at the Neapolis University Pafos in Cyprus on 12 April 2024. She discussed the rise of international commercial courts in the Middle East and Europe, in the context of needs of international business, court specialisation and access to justice and in relation to international arbitration.
Focussing on key features of these courts she gave insights on the different courts, and in particular the Singapore and Netherlands Commercial Court. Highlighting some innovative features and the opportunities the Hague Judgments Convention of 2019 offers, she concluded that these courts have an effect on the international litigation market, but they have not triggered a huge shift from arbitration or other courts to these new business courts.
Published: July 10, 2019
The research investigated consumers' attitudes and expectations when they engage with the Consumer Mediation Service (Service de Médiation pour le Consommateur/Consumentenombudsdienst), which is the public residual ADR entity acting in Belgium. The study focused on the situation of consumers with uncomplete files submitted in 2018 and was conducted by ERC researchers at Erasmus University, in collaboration with the Consumer Mediation Service and KU Leuven. It was based on an online survey completed by approx. 340 consumers. The report formulates several policy recommendations for futher improving the work and functioning of the Ombudsman. Results are available here, both in French and Dutch.