Monthly Archives: June 2017

PROVISIONS RELATING TO MEDIATION OF THE “CONSUMER” BILL

The “consumer” bill submitted in May 2013 by the Government, has already been examined by the National Assembly and the Senate on first reading.

This text contains two references to a possible recourse to mediation:

–        In the context of provisions relating to class action, the applicant consumer organization can enter into mediation with the trader in question in order to reach a negotiated agreement on behalf of the group of consumers. The consumer concerned can then join this agreement after its approval by the judge.

–          It also stipulates that any written contract between a trader and a consumer must mention the possibility, in the event of a challenge, of recourse to a conventional mediation procedure or other method for alternative dispute resolution.

The Club welcomes the fact that those provisions give litigants the opportunity to use mediation in order to build solutions and, where appropriate, provide reparation for harm suffered by consumers.

On this occasion, the Club reaffirms its attachment to the voluntary nature of using mediation for the parties.

ENACTMENT OF THE CONSUMER LAW

On 18 March, the Consumer Law was published in the Official Journal. It aims to re-balance powers between consumers and traders. The various provisions in the text represent real advances in terms of consumer protection.

This law covers 3 major topics in turn: the definition of a consumer, the enshrinement of class actions and consumer information on their possibility of using mediation in the event of a dispute.

The consumer:

The definition of a consumer in French law indicated in the consumer law has been lifted almost word for word from the article of the 2011 Directive.  It explains that the term consumers “should cover natural persons who are acting outside their trade, business, craft or profession. »

Class action:

This law introduces the class action to French law. It may be brought before the TGI or district court by a representative consumer organization at national level and approved. Note that the class action seeks only to repair the financial damages resulting from a failure by one or more professionals to meet their legal or contractual obligations. A decree from the Council of State is pending for validation of the procedures for applying class actions.

Towards more widespread recourse to Mediation

After the judge ruled on the liability of one or more traders involved, the consumer organization can submit their case to mediation regarding the compensation phase. If agreed, it will be submitted for approval by the judge who ensures that the agreement respects the interests of parties to whom it is intended to apply. The terms which will be set by decree remain to be seen.

Finally, this law reinforces consumer information on remedies available to them in the event of a dispute. In fact, it stipulates that upon signing of a written contract, consumers are made aware of their ability to engage in mediation or other alternative means of dispute resolution. This obligation upon the trader is an important factor in promoting mediation as an alternative means of dispute resolution.

This legislation is in keeping with the current trend to strengthen the protection of consumers vis-à-vis traders. The possibility of recourse to a class action is intended to counteract trade practices that could be considered questionable in view of the law. However, the Council of State rejected the creation of a national database identifying consumer credit for individuals and intended to offer “protection” against over-indebtedness, since it was considered to infringe the right to privacy.

Find more information on the websites of the INC and the Mediator of the ministries of the economy and finance: http://www.conso.net/page/bases.1_actualites.10_projet_de_loi_2.3_projet_de_loi_consommation/

http://www.economie.gouv.fr/mediateur/accueil-mediateur