About Consumer protection law

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To protect the rights and guard the welfare of consumers, the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 was enacted and brought into force. Since the dynamics of the market were changing due to globalization; there was a need to enact a new law that was more efficient to protect the consumer’s rights in every way possible. This induced legislature to make a new law which was known as Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (COPRA). Consumer Protection Act 2019 (COPRA) replaced the Consumer Protection Act 1986 and got approval from the Honourable President on 9th August in the year 2019. This act emphasizes bolstering the rights of the consumer. The COPRA 2019 incorporates VIII chapters and 107 sections. It extends to Jammu and Kashmir. The main object of the Act is to protect the interest of the consumers and to work for the welfare of the consumers.

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 with an aim to minimize the workload of the Courts, has introduced Mediation. Chapter V of COPRA 2019 deals with mediation. After the first hearing of any case, at any later stage, the District Commission, if it thinks that the case can be settled between both the parties then it can ask for the consent of both the parties, and if the parties agree then the matter referred to Mediation. Then the parties have to follow the procedure enshrined under chapter V of this Act. The State Government establishes a consumer mediation cell related to each District Commission and State Commission. The consumer mediation cell related to the National Commission is established by the Central Government. The mediation shall be held in the consumer mediation cell related to the District Commission or the State Commission or the National Commission, as the case may be. Within seven days of the receipt of the settlement report, the District Commission or the State Commission, or the National Commission, pass suitable order as it may deem fit to dispose of the matter accordingly. Apart from Mediation, the latest act also talks about Product Liability and the role of Consumer Protection Councils as advisory bodies that render advice on the promotion and protection of consumer rights under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

The Act also talks about E-commerce wherein the Central Government has the authority to make rules to prevent unfair trade practices in the e-commerce industry. There also exists the guidelines given by the United Nations with an aim to protect the interest of the Consumers at large. This shows that the protection is available to the consumers at all level, the drawback being the lack of knowledge about the existence of such law and the proper forum that needs to be approached.

It is, therefore, necessary for the people in general to be aware about the new rules and regulations that are framed to provide protection to the Consumers. Keeping this in mind, the course on consumer laws will help in pursuing in depth knowledge about the consumer laws that exists as also the strategy and ways to practically apply it in all situation of disputes.

OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE

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The Course is aimed at ensuring a sound theoretical existence of consumer law to the participants as well as exposing them to the actual application of the law before Consumer Fora. Exercise Sessions on different aspects of the course are expected to further hone the skills of the participants. With this vision in mind, the course is structured envisioning the following objectives:

  • To provide an historical background about the emergence of the Consumer Protection laws.
  • ?To provide knowledge about the United Nations guidelines on Consumer Protection.
  • To enlighten the role of Mediation as a dispute resolution method as envisaged under the amended Consumer Act.
  • To highlight the concept of product liability and role of CCPA in preventing unfair trade practices & protecting consumer interests and rights.
  • To build capacity about the best global practices in consumer protection regime. ? To conduct Case Studies of landmark decisions.
  • To sensitise the participants about the duties and responsibilities of manufacturers, sellers, producers, service providers and the remedial measures available under the Indian Legal System.

OUTCOME OF THE COURSE

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  • The participants will have an in depth understanding about the existing consumer laws in India and the protection guaranteed at the International level.
  • The participants will be aware about the jurisdiction of the consumer forum and the role played by the redressal agencies and thereby be able to judge and analyse the forum to be approached depending upon the procedure laid down in the consumer law.
  • The participants will understand the role that Mediation as an alternative dispute resolution method for settlement of consumer disputes in hand.
  • Students will be able to appreciate the emerging questions and policy issues in consumer law for future research.

COURSE DECSCRIPTION/DETAILS

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  • The Certificate Course is a 30 hours programme comprising of various Sessions on diverse topics.
  • The sessions will be divided into lectures and exercise sessions. This will provide adequate time for engaging on the themes of discussion, wherein the participant would not only be gaining knowledge on the topic but will also get an opportunity to get engaged in these reflective sessions through group participation. It will also offer adequate time for discussions and suggestions by the participants over and above the general participatory nature of the Sessions.
  • Study material will be shared with the participants during the programme.
  • The resource persons for the Certificate Course would comprise of renowned academics and professionals from leading Universities, policy makers, regulators, practitioners working in this branch of law.

EXAMINATION

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The overall participation and the interaction during the sessions would be considered as a basis for deciding the score obtained for the course. In addition to this, skits/ plays on the topic, presentation, on the topic learnt during the course, quiz and visit to the Consumer Forum would be organized.

DURATION OF THE COURSE : 30 hrs

ELIGIBILITY/WHO CAN APPLY

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  • 10+2 or its equivalent.
  • In-house students of M.K.E.S. College of Law
  • Ex-students of M.K.E.S. College of Law

LAST DATE FOR REGISTRATION: 15th February, 2021

FEES: 800/- RS.

LIMITED SEATS: Registration on “first come first serve” basis.

COURSE CO-ORDINATORS

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  1. ASST.PROF.VARSHA VYAS
  2. ASST. PROF.SHIJI BIJI
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