Muscat – The court convicted the establishment’s representatives for the misdemeanor of failing to provide proper service to the consumer, leading to penalties including imprisonment, a fine, and a compensation payment of RO 1000 to the plaintiff.

The court’s ruling came after the Directorate General of Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) in North Batinah Governorate received a complaint from a consumer regarding a problematic contract with the establishment. The consumer had hired the business for custom furniture work valued at RO 1200, with an agreement that the project would be completed within a specified timeframe. However, the establishment failed to meet this deadline, leading to the consumer filing a complaint with the Directorate.

Despite the consumer’s attempts to resolve the issue, including requests for a refund of the advance payment, the establishment’s representatives did not cooperate. The case was escalated to the Public Prosecution, which then referred it to the court for resolution.

The court found the representatives guilty of failing to provide satisfactory service. As a result, the first and second defendants were each sentenced to one month in prison. Additionally, the third defendant was fined. The court also mandated that the defendants pay the plaintiff RO 1000 in compensation, as well as cover judicial fees and expenses.

This ruling underscores the judiciary’s commitment to enforcing consumer protection laws and ensuring businesses adhere to contractual obligations.

Recently, the Court of First Instance in Sohar issued a judicial ruling against a commercial establishment operating in the furniture and furnishings sector for violating the Consumer Protection Law and its executive regulations. The court convicted the establishment’s representatives of the misdemeanor of failing to provide proper service to the consumer, leading to penalties including imprisonment, a fine, and a compensation payment of OMR1000 to the plaintiff. The case originated when the General Directorate of Consumer Protection in North Batinah Governorate received a complaint from a consumer regarding a contract with a furniture and furnishings establishment. The consumer alleged that they had engaged the establishment for custom furniture work amounting to OMR1200, with the condition that the work be completed within a specified timeframe. However, the establishment delayed the project and failed to meet the agreed-upon deadline, prompting the consumer to lodge a complaint with the Directorate, which initiated its legal procedures. Despite the consumer’s request for a refund of the advance payment, the establishment did not cooperate in resolving the matter amicably. With no mutual agreement reached, the complaint file was escalated to the Public Prosecution, which subsequently referred it to the competent court for adjudication. The court found the establishment’s representatives guilty of not providing satisfactory service to the consumer and sentenced the first and second defendants to one month of imprisonment each while imposing a fine on the third defendant. In terms of civil claims, the court ordered the defendants to pay the plaintiff OMR1000 and bear judicial fees and expenses.