Abstract
The article provides a comprehensive study of the ethical and legal challenges of online mediation in the context of the digitalization of legal practice. It is determined that the modern development of digital technologies, remote communication formats, and electronic platforms significantly transforms the mechanisms of alternative dispute resolution, as a result of which online mediation is gradually becoming an important element of the modern digital justice system The article analyzes contemporary scientific approaches to defining the concept, essence, and features of online mediation and establishes that its functioning is based on a combination of classical mediation principles with new digital mechanisms for organizing communication and dispute resolution. The regulatory and legal framework for the functioning of online mediation in Ukraine is examined, including the provisions of the Law of Ukraine “On Mediation,” legislation in the field of electronic document circulation, electronic trust services, personal data protection, as well as international legal acts in the field of digital justice and alternative dispute resolution. It is established that despite the gradual development of legal regulation, current legislation still does not provide a comprehensive framework for regulating the specifics of conducting online mediation, the use of digital platforms, and algorithmic systems in the dispute resolution process. The article identifies the key ethical and legal challenges of online mediation, including ensuring confidentiality of information, cybersecurity of digital platforms, identification of participants, digital inequality, legal certainty of electronic agreements, ensuring procedural fairness, and compliance with the professional ethics of the mediator. Particular attention is paid to the problems associated with the use of artificial intelligence and algorithmic systems in the field of online mediation. It is established that the implementation of AI technologies can increase the efficiency of digital dispute resolution; however, at the same time, it creates risks of algorithmic bias, opacity of automated decisions, and the loss of the human-centered nature of mediation activities. The necessity of improving the regulatory and legal framework for online mediation, developing special ethical standards for the use of digital platforms and artificial intelligence, and ensuring a balance between the technological efficiency of digital systems and compliance with the fundamental principles of fair dispute resolution and human rights protection is substantiated.
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