Know About Consumer Courts In Pakistan

A civilized society believes in the fundamental importance of Consumer Protection

This website is providing you all kinds information relating to the Consumer Courts in Pakistan after reading that details you can easily know about your rights and you can also know that how should you come before the Consumer Courts.

Who is a consumer?
Section 2(c) of the PCPA,2005 defines the term “Consumer” as under: Buys or obtains on lease any product for a consideration and includes any  user of such product but does not include a person who obtains any product for resale or for any commercial purpose; or Hires any services for a consideration and includes any beneficiary of such services
What are consumer rights?
According to the UN guidelines on consumer protection (1985), a consumer has eight basic rights, which are as follows; Right to Basic Needs Right to Safety Right to be Informed Right to Choose Right to Representation / be Heard Right to Redress Right to Consumer Education Right to Healthy Environment
How can consumer rights be protected?
Only enactment and enforcement of the law by the Government does not serve. It always requires enthusiastic response from the citizen’s side. The consumers should register their complaints in the Consumer Courts or before Authority, as the case may be to mark the power of consumers and to protect their rights.
Which remedies are available?
On violation of any provision of the Act, consumer may file a claim for damages in Consumer Court for which no court fee is required For redress of following grievances consumer can file complaint before Authority: Non issuance of receipt Non exhibition of price list Non mentioning of date of manufacturing, expiry or ingredient Non disclosures of qualification
To whom a complaint can be made?
Complaints can be made to; Consumer Court Authority (District Coordination Officer)
What is the procedure of filing a complaint / to get damages?
The procedure is; Serve a fifteen (15) day legal notice on plain paper, to the provider of defective product(s) or faulty service(s) as the case may be, stating therein that he will redress the damage suffered by consumer due to defective product(s) or faulty service(s) and consequently pay damages to the consumer within fifteen days of receipt of legal notice, otherwise the consumer can file a claim for damages in the Consumer Court Legal notice should be served through acknowledgement If matter is not resolved through legal notice then consumer can file a claim for damages in the Consumer Court within subsequent fifteen days Claim can be filed by the consumer himself or through a lawyer
What does damages mean?
“Damage” means all damage caused by a product(s) or service(s) including damages to the product itself and economic loss arising from a deficiency in or loss of use of the product(s) or service(s).
What are the obligations of manufacturers?
The manufacturer of a product shall be liable to the consumer for damages  caused by a characteristic of the product that renders the product defective when such damage arose from a reasonably anticipated use of the product by a consumer.
What are the obligations of service providers?
A provider of service shall be liable to a consumer for damages proximately caused by the provision of service that have caused damages.
How much damages can a consumer claim?
Consumer can file a claim for damages before a Consumer Court. Damages can be claimed according to sufferings or losses. There is no limit in this regard.
What are the things consumers should observe to protect their rights?
Consumers should observe the following in order to protect their rights; Check date of manufacturing / expiry of the product(s) before purchase Read ingredients / component parts / instructions of the product(s) / service(s) Insist about rate list / price catalogue of product(s) / service(s) Always get receipt of product(s) / service(s) purchased / hired Ask for the capabilities or qualifications of the service provider, along-with the quality of the tools he intends to use for provision of the services, Ask about return and refund policy Check  design and standard of the product(s) Check for the product’s safety / warning
Is there any remedy available against bait advertisement?
Yes, Bait advertisement is covered under Section-22 of the Act.
Can consumer lodge complaint against an astronomer?
No, detailed answer is provided in Section 2(k) of the Act which is as under:- “services” includes the provision of any kind of facilities or advice or assistance such as provision of medical, legal or engineering services but does not include– The rendering of any service under a contract of personal service; The rendering of non-professional services like astrology or palmistry; or A service, the essence of which is to deliver judgment by a court of law or arbitrator;
Is there any limitation for filing a complaint in court?
Yes, 30 day from arising of cause of action.
Is there any pre-requisite for filling a claim in courts?
Yes, 15 day legal notice is pre-requisite for filing claim in Consumer Court.
Is right of appeal available under this Law?
Yes, right of appeal is available under the law ; An Aggrieved person may file appeal in Lahore High Court, Lahore within 30 days of final order of  the Consumer Court An appeal can be filed before Government (Secretary, Industries, Commerce & Investment) within 30 day against the order of Authority