Home: Consumer Law :

This section aims to give you an overview of both the civil and criminal legislation which protects consumers. Some Acts of Parliament contain both civil and criminal provisions. Under civil law, you as an individual can claim against a trader through the civil courts, such as the Small Claims Court. Under criminal law, traders can be prosecuted and the criminal courts have the power to make compensation orders in favour of consumers. Prosecutions are usually undertaken by the Trading Standards Service of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.