A Multi-Agent Architecture for Online Dispute Resolution Services

: Argumentation theory is often used in multi agent-systems to facilitate autonomous agent reasoning and multi-agent interaction. The technology can also be used to develop online negotiation and mediation services by providing argument structures that assist parties involved in a dispute to resolve outstanding issues or avoid future disputes. While Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) represents a move from a fixed and formal process to a more flexible one, Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) moves ADR from a physical to a virtual place. The research aims to capitalise on the recent trend towards ODR by creating a JADE based multi-agent ODR environment. The utility functions and argument structures of two existing ODR applications are being re-deployed as Web based intelligent agents capable of intuitively coordinating during a negotiation. One agent uses expert knowledge of the Australian Family Law domain to recommend a percentage property split, while another uses heuristics and game t...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2008
• Where: ODR
• Authors: Brooke Abrahams, John Zeleznikow
• Keywords: Argument Structures, Dispute Resolution, Information Technology, ODR 2008, ODR Environment