An agent-based approach to consumer´s law dispute resolution

Buying products online results in a new type of trade which the traditional legal systems are not ready to deal with. Besides that, the increase in B2C relations led to a growing number of consumer claims and many of these are not getting a satisfactory response. New approaches that do not include traditional litigation are needed, having in consideration not only the slowness of the judicial system, but also the cost/beneficial relation in legal procedures. This paper points out to an alternative way of solving these conflicts online, using Information Technologies and Artificial Intelligence methodologies. The work here presented results in a consumer advice system, which fastens and makes easier the conflict resolution process both for consumers and for legal experts.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - TIARAC - Telematics and Artificial Intelligence in Alternative Conflict Resolution Project (PTDC/JUR/71354/2006