CPA fines two establishments for failing to abide by contracts

Al Suwaiq : The Primary Court in Wilayat Al-Suwaiq issued two judicial rulings against defendants in favour of consumers, convicting them and imposing financial fines for violating the Consumer Protection Law issued under Royal Decree No. (66/2014) and its Executive Regulations.

The details of the first case date back to the Consumer Protection Office in Wilayat Al-Suwaiq receiving a complaint from one consumer, in which he stated that he had contracted with a commercial establishment to manufacture sofas, Arabic seating, a carpet, and a number of (2) curtains, for an amount of OMR500 , with the work to be completed within a specified period.

However, the commercial establishment delayed the delivery of the goods and failed to comply with the terms of the contract. In addition, the establishment failed to provide the consumer with an invoice written in the Arabic language and in clear handwriting upon receiving the service.

This prompted the consumer to submit his complaint, and accordingly the office took the necessary legal measures. After completion of the case file, it was referred to the Public Prosecution in Wilayat Al-Suwaiq to take the legal procedures, whereupon the complaint was referred to the competent court.

Based on the foregoing, the court in Wilayat Al-Suwaiq issued its judgment convicting the defendant of the misdemeanor of failing to provide the service to the consumer in a proper manner consistent with its nature, and the misdemeanor of the supplier’s failure to provide the consumer with an invoice written in the Arabic language.

The court sentenced him for the first and second offenses to a financial fine, with the penalties merged and suspended, in addition to obligating him to pay the civil claimant an amount of (80) Omani Rials, together with costs.

As for the second case, its details are summarized as the Consumer Protection Office in Wilayat Al-Suwaiq receiving a complaint from one consumer, in which he stated that he had agreed with an establishment specialized in the aluminum workshop sector to manufacture aluminum doors and kitchen windows, in addition to cupboards and drawers, with a total value of OMR900 , on the condition that the works be delivered within a period of (15) days from the date of the agreement, with the consent of both parties.

However, the establishment breached the terms of the agreement and failed to deliver the works within the agreed time, which prompted the consumer to submit his complaint to the office. After completing the case file, it was referred to the Public Prosecution, which initiated the necessary legal procedures, and then referred it to the competent court.

The court issued its judgment convicting the two defendants of the misdemeanor of failing to provide the service to the consumer in a proper manner consistent with its nature, and the misdemeanor of failing to provide the consumer with an invoice written in the Arabic language.

The court sentenced them both for the first and second offenses to a financial fine, with the two penalties merged and the harsher one enforced.

The Consumer Protection Authority affirms, through these judicial rulings, the importance of suppliers and service providers adhering to the highest standards of credibility, transparency, and integrity in their dealings with consumers, and fully complying with the duties and responsibilities stipulated in the Consumer Protection Law and its Executive Regulations.