.nz Dispute Resolution Scheme Rules consultation

Consultation open

This consultation is open from 20 August 2024 to 19 September 2024.

About this consultation

This consultation seeks feedback on proposed new .nz Dispute Resolution Scheme Rules (Scheme Rules) to replace the Dispute Resolution Service Policy [version 4.2] and procedures (the Policy) to reflect current best practice and to ensure the dispute resolution scheme is accessible, user-focussed, fair, accountable, independent, efficient, and effective. 

Read the proposed Scheme Rules.

Read the Summary of key changes and what stays the same. 

Read the Cultural support services: Te Korowai Kākahu o Te Pokapū Whakatau Tautohe o Aotearoa relating to tikanga-based support.

Read the Policy [version 4.2].

Background

The Policy has remained largely unchanged since inception circa 20 years ago and changes are required to reflect current best practice. The proposed Scheme Rules have been developed taking into account feedback from users of the dispute resolution scheme, to facilitate the outsourcing of the administration of the Scheme, to incorporate a tikanga-based approach to dispute resolution and to take advantage of technological advancements. 

The Domain Name Commission (DNC) has appointed the New Zealand Dispute Resolution Centre (NZDRC) to administer the Scheme once the new Scheme Rules come into effect.

The DNC will continue to carry out its regulatory role including applying and removing compliance locks, implement or liaise with registrars to implement settlement agreements or determinations as required, and obtain regular reporting from NZDRC to publicly report on the operation and outcomes of the Scheme.

Next steps

This consultation is open from 20 August 2024 to 19 September 2024, after which we will review submissions and finalise the Scheme Rules. 

Submissions on the consultation questions should be emailed to [email protected] by 5pm, 19 September 2024.

We will publish the final Scheme Rules along with a copy of all submissions received on our website by 30 September 2024. The Scheme Rules will come into effect on 1 October 2024. The final Scheme Rules will also be published on the InternetNZ | Ipurangi Aotearoa website.

Consultation questions

Question one: 

Are there any specific aspects of the tikanga-based framework that you consider should be highlighted or further explained in the context of the .nz Dispute Resolution Scheme?

Question two: 

What are your views on the dispute resolution services or access to them? For example, provider gender or other preference, engagement preference, tikanga perspectives given that tikanga varies, language preferences?

Question three: 

What are your views on whether the Scheme will be accessible and user-focused?

Question four: 

What are your views on the timeframes for various steps to be taken, do you consider them reasonable?

Question five: 

If you are a disputes resolution practitioner, what are your views on the new definitions of Fair Use and Descriptive Term?

Question six:

Do you have any general comments in relation to the proposed Scheme Rules that we can consider?