CONSUMER LAWS

Consumer protection law in India is primarily governed by the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which replaced the earlier 1986 Act to address the evolving needs of a modern marketplace. The law strengthens the rights of consumers and establishes institutional mechanisms for effective redressal of grievances against defective goods, deficient services, unfair trade practices, and misleading advertisements. It also brings e-commerce and online transactions under its ambit, reflecting the growing role of digital platforms in consumer dealings.

Consumer Commissions function at three levels—District, State, and National—and have the authority to adjudicate disputes within their pecuniary jurisdiction. The forums provide remedies such as refund, replacement, compensation for loss or injury, withdrawal of misleading advertisements, and discontinuance of unfair trade practices. The procedure before these forums is comparatively simple and cost-effective, offering individuals an alternative to lengthy civil litigation.

Practice in consumer law often involves drafting of complaints, responses, rejoinders, and appeals, supported by documentation relating to goods, services, and transactions in dispute. Matters frequently arise in areas such as real estate transactions, defective products, medical services, insurance disputes, and e-commerce grievances. Consumer practice also requires a clear understanding of overlapping statutes, as issues may involve contractual law, tort principles, and sector-specific regulations.

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 also introduced new features, including the establishment of the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) with powers of investigation and regulation, as well as provisions for product liability and mediation. These changes reflect a more holistic approach to consumer welfare, providing individuals with multiple avenues for remedy and introducing accountability at different levels of the supply chain.

At CBSL Advocates & Associates, consumer law practice involves representing parties before District Commissions, the State Commission at Chandigarh, and the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in matters concerning goods, services, and statutory protections. The focus in such matters is on procedural clarity, statutory interpretation, and achieving resolution in line with the objectives of consumer protection law.