A comparative assessment of the legal frameworks on cross-border consumer disputes

Iheme, Williams C. (2021) A comparative assessment of the legal frameworks on cross-border consumer disputes. In: The Indian yearbook of comparative law 2019. The Indian yearbook of comparative law book series . Springer, Singapore, pp. 61-93. ISBN 9789811621758

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Abstract

This paper examines the dispute settlement frameworks for consumers in search of judicial remedies in cross-border (financial) transactions. In this 21st century, buying goods and services on the Internet from corporate sellers located in foreign countries, individual ownership and operation of borderless bank accounts and social media accounts from financial technology companies located in other jurisdictions, etc., have arguably become mainstream. Until recently, the legal frameworks on cross-border disputes in many countries did not make any clear-cut distinction between ‘commercial’ and ‘consumer’ contracts. In fact, the legal framework for dispute settlement in cross-border transactions has developed much around commercial contracts, and even though the Internet has created a platform for consumers to transact across borders on a daily basis, no suitable framework exists for these consumers to seek effective judicial remedies in the event of breach of contract. This paper analyzes this deficiency from the perspective of the recent Supreme Court decisions in Canada, which have paved a way for a consumer dealing with a corporation located abroad to sue the latter in his or her (consumer’s) home country notwithstanding a forum selection agreement nominating the corporation’s home country as the forum for dispute settlement. It is reasonably expected that the new perspective introduced by Douez v Facebook and its offspring will positively inspire courts in both common law and civil law systems towards enforcing forum selection agreements in deference to consumers’ interests.

Item Type: Book Section
Keywords: Financial consumers | Cross-border disputes | Judicial remedies
Subjects: Social Sciences and humanities > Social Sciences > Law and Legal Studies
JGU School/Centre: Jindal Global Law School
Depositing User: Mr. Syed Anas
Date Deposited: 07 Feb 2022 09:44
Last Modified: 07 Feb 2022 09:44
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2175-8_4
URI: https://pure.jgu.edu.in/id/eprint/1085

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