2nd and 3rd April, 2019: Centre for Consumer Law NLU Odisha organized a Two Day Certificate Course on “Consumer Justice in the Era of Globalisation”

Centre for Consumer Law, NLUO, in collaboration with Chair on Consumer Law & Practice, NLSIU, Bengaluru has successfully conducted its Two Day Certificate Course on “Consumer Justice in the Era of Globalization” on 2-3rd April, 2019.

The Course was designed keeping in mind the importance and applications of Consumer laws in a highly globalized market. It aims at deliberating upon the efficacy of Consumer justice and presents a unique opportunity for the participants to explore and work towards the enhancement of the current consumer laws and practice.

The resource persons in this event were Prof. (Dr.) Ashok R. Patil, Chair Professor, Chair on Consumer Law and Practice, National Law School of India University, Bengaluru and Director, Online Consumer Mediation Centre (Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Government of India), Prof. (Dr.) AnupPatnaik, Former S.P., DIG of Ranges and I.G. in State Police Headquarters, Former Addl. D.G.P., Director of Correctional Services (Prisons),Human Rights Protection Cell and Former Director, Vigilance, Former ChairmanOPSC, Adjunct Professor (Law), NLU Odisha, Mr. Aditya PrakashRao, Partner, PLR Chambers, New Delhi and our faculty advisors MrMayankTiwari, Assistant Professor of Law NLU, Odisha and MsSudattaBarik, Research Associate-cum-Teaching Assistant,Faculty, NLU Odisha.

A combination of lecturing and participatory learning methods was followed by the Resource persons throughout the event. Prof. (Dr.) Ashok R. Patil began with giving a brief introduction of The Consumer Protection Act, 1986,Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 which seeks to replace the Act of 1986 and the Consumer Protection Rules, 1987 and highlighted the differences in the same. Further, he illustrated the difference between the consumer forum and district forum followed by the history and global status of consumer protection. He also shed light on various initiatives taken up and issues raised by the students of NLSIU, Bangalore and how they drafted complaints against misleading advertisements, argued themselves in the district forums and prepared a report of the same and such other matters to send it to the respective government departments for them to take cognizance. He also deliberated uponsection 89 of the Civil Procedure Code which talks about settlement of disputes outside the court and how it can be done by way of arbitration, conciliation, judicial settlement through ‘lokadalat’ or mediation. He further went on explaining the differences between these alternative methods of dispute settlement. Lastly, he discussed about the the online dispute resolution and the challenges faced thereunder.

Mr. Aditya PrakashRao, Partner, PLR Chambers, New Delhiexplained the evolution of regulation framework of direct selling industry inIndia.He elaborated upon the Central direct selling guidelines and highlighted the distinguishing features of pyramid schemes and direct selling, Dos and Do not for direct selling, Direct selling rights and obligations, section 2(13)the consumer protection bill, 2018 which provides for the definition of direct selling, pyramid scheme and certain other relevant concepts pertaining to the same. Further, he also discussed the judicial jurisprudence in this area with the help of certain case laws.

Prof. (Dr.) AnupPatnaikshed light on evaluating contractual interests of consumers in the cyber space with the help of various laws governing the same such as the IT Act, 2000, UNCITRAL etc. Further, he explained evolution of the status of the laws governing e-commerce in India and the types of e-contract. He also illustrated the status of consumers in the cyberworld with the help of various case laws and the redressal mechanisms that have developed overtime owing to the technological advancements and the changing needs of the society. In continuance of the same, MsSudattaBarik, faculty adviser Centre for Consumer Law, NLUO talked about consumer trust in online shopping and helped the participants develop an elaborate understanding of the same by demonstrating various case laws in this regard.

MrMayankTiwari, faculty adviser Centre for Consumer Law, NLUObegan with explaining certain basic concepts provided under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 such as that of Consumer, complaint, types of complaints and the landmark judgments pertaining to the same. Not only this he also shared his personal experiences with regards to consumer disputes and with the help of a problem taught the participants how to draft a consumer complaint before the adequate forum.

During the event, an Open House Discussion also took place whereby the resource persons Prof. (Dr.) Ashok R. Patil and Mr. Aditya PrakashRao while answering the questions put forward by the participants explained that the consumer protection act 1986 and the ministry of consumer affairs has not taken into account the fact that data these days is sold and shared without consent as usually people agree to terms and conditions without reading the entire policy. Data protection Act and guidelines are to be put in place soon. Along the way they also expressed their views on RERA. Further, they explained that sections restricting the powers of officers who issue ‘No Objection Certificates’must be incorporated in the act. For better implementation of RERA, the administration must be given in the hands of qualified personnel.

By the end, the most enthusiastic participants in the learning process were identified and felicitated by a copy of the book on Consumer protection by Avtar Singh as an acknowledgement of their active participation. Rest of the participants were awarded with a Certificate of Merit for their successful completion of the course and the Resource Persons were also awarded a certificate of appreciation in sincere acknowledgment of their valuable service. Lastly, the volunteers and the members of the Core Committee were also presented a certificate of appreciation in recognition of their hard work and dedication.

To conclude, the event was an enlightening one for all the participants, it helped all of them reflect on the pressing issues with regards to consumer law, develop practical skills and discuss various innovative and practical solutions to everlasting problems in light of the technological advancements across the globe.