MUSCAT – The court in the Wilayat of Barka issued the judicial ruling convicting a commercial establishment and its owner for violating the provisions of the Consumer Protection Law promulgated by Royal Decree No. (66/2014) and its Executive Regulations.

The Court sentenced both the establishment and its owner to fines totalling RO 1,000, imposing a fine of RO 500 on each, with suspended execution, and obligated them to bear the criminal case expenses. The Court also ratified the settlement agreement reached between the two parties and granted it the force of an enforceable instrument.

The case originated from a complaint received by the Consumer Protection Authority’s department in Barka, in which a consumer reported entering into a contract with the establishment to purchase ready-made doors with standard dimensions for his home at a value of RO 720, which was paid in full. Four days after the purchase, the consumer verified the measurements and discovered discrepancies in the door dimensions. He noted that the doors had only been reserved and not yet received.

Upon contacting the establishment to request cancellation of the order and a refund, the consumer’s request was rejected on the grounds that the establishment’s system did not allow full refunds. As a result, the consumer submitted a complaint to the Consumer Protection Authority seeking a full refund of the amount paid.

During the investigation, the owner of the establishment admitted to contracting with the consumer and refusing to refund the amount, claiming that the doors were ready for immediate delivery and free of defects. The investigation concluded that the establishment violated Article 23 of the Consumer Protection Law, which obliges suppliers to provide services in a proper manner consistent with their nature and to refund the value of the service or re-perform it in the event of a breach. The establishment was also found to be in violation of Article 16 of the Law, which grants consumers the right, within 15 days of receipt of a commodity, to replace or return it and recover its value if it does not conform to agreed specifications or intended purpose.

Following the failure to reach an amicable settlement, the complaint was referred to the Public Prosecution, which in turn referred the case to the competent court after completing its investigation.
The Authority reaffirmed its continued efforts to enforce laws regulating the market and safeguard consumer rights. It called on all commercial establishments and companies to fully comply with applicable laws and regulations, stressing that legal action will be taken against violators without leniency.