Muscat – The Court of First Instance in Saham issued a judicial ruling convicting a representative of a commercial establishment of a misdemeanor for failing to provide service to a consumer in accordance with its nature.

According to the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA), ‘The ruling included imposing a fine of RO100, termination of the contract between the commercial establishment and the consumer, and restoring the situation to what it was before the contract. The court also ordered the service provider to return RO700 to the consumer together with legal expenses.’

According to the case history, a consumer submitted a complaint to the General Directorate of Consumer Protection in Sohar in which he stated that he had agreed with the commercial establishment to make a 10-meter long LED panel for RO900. They agreed that the lettering should be coloured and that the service provider will provide a guarantee for plastic and lighting for five years. The service provider breached the agreement and did not write down the required details in the contract invoice. He did not complete the job on time as well, so the consumer was left with no option but to refer the dispute to the court after it was not possible to reach a cordial solution.

The service provider’s failure is a misdemeanor and is punishable under Article 23, in accordance with Article 39 of the Consumer Protection Law 66/2014, CPA stated.

The article states that a service must be provided to a consumer in the right manner and in accordance with its nature and guarantee the service within a period commensurate with its nature.

In case of default, the service provider has to return the amount paid together with compensation for its failure, in the manner specified by the regulation. ‘Accordingly, the court issued the aforementioned ruling.’