Quick Overview of the Consumer Court

What is the Consumer Court?

The Consumer Court, also referred to as ‘The Consumer Court of India’, is a legal institution mandated by the Indian Government. The primary role of the consumer court is to provide a venue for individual consumers who are subjected to illegal, unlawful, or unethical commercial practices within the Indian Commercial Marketplace.

The functions of the Consumer Court are specific to only several countries and nations. Oftentimes, commercial grievances are heard within other court settings that are typically not specific to consumer affairs. That being said, the instatement of a Consumer Court by the Indian Government in the middle of the 20th century allows for the protection and advocacy of Consumer’s Rights.

The opportunity to present a case before the Consumer Court is considered to be a fairly accessible process. In the event that a consumer wishes to file a grievance before the Consumer Court, they will need to furnish a payment of 100 Rupees. Claimants have the choice to hire an attorney or serve as their own legal representation.

Types of Commercial Court of India

Within the basic structure of the Consumer Court of India, there exists a classification system granted to cases heard within its venue. This classification system provides for 3 levels of categorization with regard consumer hearings. Yet, despite a case’s respective classification, all consumer matters and grievances are heard by the overarching Consumer Court system.

The National Consumer Court of India is responsible for the administration and judicial review of cases involving the largest amounts of financial loss or monetary grievance.

The District Consumer Court of India is responsible for the administration and judicial review of cases involving the smallest amounts of financial loss or monetary grievance. These cases involve matters no exceeding 20 Lacs.

Common Cases Heard Before the Consumer Court of India

Although the Consumer Court of India is responsible for hearing all matters within the scope of Consumer Law within India, the following cases are amongst the most commonly-heard:

The analysis and judicial review of the adulteration of ingredients is common within Consumer Court. Suppliers and manufacturers of edible oil products will be cited with supplementing ingredients within their products without giving notice to the consumer populace. This is regarded as a fraudulent act that may result in the ingestion and consumption of ingredients without the knowledge of the consumer.

Food Shortages and Hoarding are also typically heard before the Consumer Court of India. These cases result from the exclusivity assumed by a single supplier within the commercial industry, which allows for the unlawful and unregulated mandating of market activity and exchange.

Items sold on the Black Market, as well as the investigation of Black Market suppliers, are common cases heard before the Consumer Court of India. These cases involve the exploitation of the consumer market with regard to product liability and warranty.

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