The Consumer Council today (November 29) welcomed the release of the Civil Justice Reform Interim Report and Consultative Paper and expressed the hope that the proposed reform will lead to greater consumers' access to justice.
The Council stressed that access to justice is a basic consumer right, and that among the wide variety of issues raised in the document for review of the present system are issues of important consumer concerns.
Besides the problems of excessive cost, delay and complexity faced by aggrieved consumers seeking judicial redress, the Council is pleased to note that such issues as greater transparency, multi-party litigation and alternative disputes resolution which have far-reaching implications to consumers at large are also covered.
The Council is also pleased to learn that the Report has examined measures being developed in other jurisdictions towards meeting the needs of unrepresented litigants.
Between January and November this year, the Council has received a total of 26 consumer complaints related to conveyancing and litigation services. There were 47 complaints in 1998, 43 in 1999, and 35 in 2000. Most were about fee disputes and quality of service.
The Consumer Council will carefully study the Interim Report and Consultative Paper and give its views to the Working Party for consideration.
Cases of Consumer Legal Action Fund
Since its formation in November 1994, the Consumer Legal Action Fund has altogether considered 49 groups of cases with each group ranging from one individual to thousands of consumers. As of to-date, the Fund has a balance of over $14 million.
Just last week, the Fund had its first small claims appeal case ruled in its favour by the Court of First Instance, involving nine consumers and a compensation award of 67,735, against a kindergarten.
The Consumer Council today (November 29) welcomed the release of the Civil Justice Reform Interim Report and Consultative Paper and expressed the hope that the proposed reform will lead to greater consumers' access to justice.
The Council stressed that access to justice is a basic consumer right, and that among the wide variety of issues raised in the document for review of the present system are issues of important consumer concerns.
Besides the problems of excessive cost, delay and complexity faced by aggrieved consumers seeking judicial redress, the Council is pleased to note that such issues as greater transparency, multi-party litigation and alternative disputes resolution which have far-reaching implications to consumers at large are also covered.
The Council is also pleased to learn that the Report has examined measures being developed in other jurisdictions towards meeting the needs of unrepresented litigants.
Between January and November this year, the Council has received a total of 26 consumer complaints related to conveyancing and litigation services. There were 47 complaints in 1998, 43 in 1999, and 35 in 2000. Most were about fee disputes and quality of service.
The Consumer Council will carefully study the Interim Report and Consultative Paper and give its views to the Working Party for consideration.
Cases of Consumer Legal Action Fund
Since its formation in November 1994, the Consumer Legal Action Fund has altogether considered 49 groups of cases with each group ranging from one individual to thousands of consumers. As of to-date, the Fund has a balance of over $14 million.
Just last week, the Fund had its first small claims appeal case ruled in its favour by the Court of First Instance, involving nine consumers and a compensation award of 67,735, against a kindergarten.
| Groups of Cases considered since 30 November 1994 | 49 |
| 1 |
| 6 1 3 2 1 1 3 |
| 3 |
* In one group of cases, only partial compensation was obtained. Further action showed no recovery prospect. Case was therefore not further pursued.