Competition & Consumer Practice Area

The Competition & Consumer practice area in New Zealand focuses on ensuring fair trading and protecting consumers' rights. This area of law helps to create a level playing field for businesses while also safeguarding the interests of consumers.

Consumer Claims Specialisation

Within this practice area, the Consumer Claims specialisation is particularly important. It deals with situations where consumers feel they have been treated unfairly or have not received what they paid for. Here are some examples of what this might involve:

• Faulty Products: If you buy a new appliance that breaks down shortly after purchase, you may have a claim against the retailer or manufacturer for a refund or replacement.
• Misleading Advertising: If a product is advertised as "100% natural" but contains artificial ingredients, you could claim that the advertisement was misleading.
• Unfair Contract Terms: If a contract you signed has terms that are very one-sided and unfair, you might be able to challenge those terms under consumer law.

The laws in New Zealand, such as the Consumer Guarantees Act and the Fair Trading Act, provide protections for consumers. These laws ensure that products are of acceptable quality and that businesses do not engage in deceptive practices.

If you believe your rights as a consumer have been violated, the Consumer Claims specialisation can help you understand your options and guide you through the process of making a claim. This could involve negotiating with the business or, if necessary, taking legal action to resolve the issue.

In summary, the Competition & Consumer practice area, especially the Consumer Claims specialisation, is all about making sure that consumers in New Zealand are treated fairly and can seek justice when things go wrong.