The future of the left since 1884

The self-employment justice gap: The case for online dispute resolution

Share

This report makes the case for an online dispute resolution (ODR) service for self-employed workers and explores the role such a service could provide. It shows that self-employed workers face challenges distinct from employees and argues for new systems and processes to address the consequent justice gap.

The growth of new forms of self-employment and the platform economy means there is a particular and pressing need to tackle the problem of incorrect employment status, often labelled as ‘bogus self-employment’. But a new service should also resolve problems for genuinely self-employed workers, to enable them to make full use of their rights, establish their tax status and claim late payments.

The report draws on examples of legal technology from the Netherlands, Canada and the United States that seek to promote and widen access to justice. These innovations demonstrate ‘proof of concept’ and should be used as a basis for developing a UK online dispute resolution (ODR) service that can be used to address employment and workplace issues for the low-paid self-employed.

Download now

Jason Brock

Jason Brock is a former senior researcher at the Fabian Society and is currently Labour leader of Reading Borough Council.

@JN_Brock

Our publications

View All

Plans for Power

Fabian ideas for transforming Britain

This pamphlet is a compilation of some of the most important ideas developed and championed by the Fabian Society in recent years. It is a ‘mixtape’ of the best proposals, from early years to pensions and from the future of work to public service ref...

Read more

A good life in all regions

Uniting our country to end poverty

The report of the Fabian Society's Commission on Regional Poverty and Inequality concludes that the UK has two major regional economy challenges – ‘low growth’ outside the south east, where places lack good jobs; and ‘overheating’ in the capital, whe...

Read more

Lawful and fair

Building a better migration system

In this pamphlet, Will Somerville and Sarah Mulley set out robust proposals to reform our migration system. They argue that it must be based on sound principles: it must be fair, it must be grounded in democratic consent, and it must respect people’s...

Read more

Support guaranteed

The roadmap to a National Care Service

Plans for a National Care Service for England were first presented 13 years ago in the dying days of the last Labour government. Since then no detailed work has taken place to flesh out what the service might look like or how it should be implemented...

Read more

Britain Reconnected

A foreign policy for security and prosperity at home

In this publication, David Lammy MP identifies the major geopolitical trends that will shape the UK's place in the world, and sets out the next Labour government’s approach to foreign policy

Read more

Healthy Britain

A new approach to health and wellbeing policy

Kim Leadbeater MP sets out a new, comprehensive strategy for improving the UK's health and wellbeing.

Read more

Green and Pleasant

Rebuilding rural Britain

An essay collection exploring the challenges faced by rural and coastal communities and how Labour should respond to them.

Read more

Reclaiming freedom

The case for a 21st century bill of powers and duties

In this pamphlet, Liam Byrne MP calls for Labour to make freedom its defining cause once again

Read more

Breaching the Sea Wall

Polling Labour's support in coastal towns

This briefing develops a new constituency grouping based on town and coastal geography: the 'Sea Wall'.

Read more

Levelling up?

Lessons from Germany

This report sets out the lessons which can be learned from Germany on rebalancing regional growth

Read more

The equality question

Why Labour should re-embrace its egalitarian roots

Our new pamphlet makes the case for the fight against inequality to be a core mission for Labour.

Read more

Enduring values

How progressives across Europe can win

An essay collection exploring the progressive values which can connect with voters in the UK and the EU.

Read more

A national music service

HOW TO ENSURE EVERY CHILD CAN ACCESS A GOOD MUSIC EDUCATION

Our new report argues for the government to introduce a National Music Education Service

Read more

Equipped for the future

A vision for adult skills and training

In our latest collection, we bring together business leaders, policy experts, politicians, trade unionists and practitioners to develop a new vision for adult skills policy ahead of the next general election

Read more

A mature approach

How Labour can reconnect with older voters

Fabian Society research suggests 2 million older voters who did not support Labour in 2019 would consider doing so now.

Read more

Fabian membership

Join the Fabian Society today and help shape the future of the left

You’ll receive the quarterly Fabian Review and at least four reports or pamphlets each year sent to your door

Be a part of the debate at Fabian conferences and events and join one of our network of local Fabian societies

Join the Fabian Society
Fabian Society

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close