Not only do we propose a decentralized and transparent authority to resolve disputes (bring back the middleman) but also connect Communities and thus actively contribute to accelerate blockchain mass adaption.
What is decentralized in this thing?
As long as they are nominated by somebody the whole decentralization is gone.
The arbitrators have to meet certain criteria, including fluency in English and minimum education level, and complete an apprenticeship training process, in which they are mentored by a more experienced arbitrator, before being allowed to rule on a dispute in their own right. Currently, there are six arbitrators who have been cleared to arbitrate mostly complex cases, which are then executed by EOS block-producers (BPs).
As for all of them, I love the fact that you have to pay (and in some cases a lot) to open an arbitration...
So basically, the one that can't afford it cause all his money is gone can say goodbye to justice and the one that has thousands of coins(tokens) and wallets at his disposal can stay pretty calm as he has a good chance that he will be the one ruling the dispute.
Two minutes spent on 4chain and then imagining of those guys posting there deciding in matters that can influence in a serious way someone's finances or life is one scary future!!!!!
To 1) the entire decision making is decentralized. You do not need to get nominated by anyone. Anyone can sign up and fills our a form where he provides basic information and absolves a simulation/test (some sort of KYC to initially filter out bots and malicious actors, if you will). Other, more experienced, Jurors will evaluate this test (but they cannot refuse him to join) and suggest an initial credit level for the newly recruited juror. This is all totally run and managed by the Community - so basically anyone who wants can join without restrictions.
To 2) EOS charges a case submission fee of minimum 6 EOS, so correctly said, if you submit a case and it gets refused by ECAF (centralized) you still have to pay. On Oath, arbitration fees are totally managed by the disputants without minimum fees involved. If they offer 0 rewards for the Jurors to resolve their conflict, they can do so. Without monetary incentive, however, it might be hard to continuously get disputes resolved.