CfP for law students: National Seminar on Consumer Protection Laws by National Law Institute University, Bhopal [Nov 4-5; Offline]: Deadline- Sep 30

The National Law Institute University, Bhopal, established by the Rashtriya Vidhi Sansthan Vishwavidyalaya Adhiniyam, Act No. 41 of 1997, and substituted by Act No. 6 of 2018, is one of the premier law universities in India.

The Consumer Protection Act of 1986 was enacted to protect the rights of the consumers but over the years it was observed that the Act did not address the disputes regarding consumer contracts entered between consumers and product manufacturers or service providers, product liability and the e-commerce sector.

To overcome the lacunae in the Act of 1986, the Parliament enacted the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 which aims to provide a more holistic and robust mechanism to protect and strengthen the interest of consumers and their rights by effectively preventing unfair trade practices, adulteration of food, misleading advertisements, defective products, black marketing including prohibiting a rampant increase in scams and frauds flourishing in the digital markets.

The major features of the Act of 2019 are Central Consumer Protection Authority, Product Liability, filing of e-complaints, deterrence in offences and penalties and mediation.

After three years of fully operational Act including 2 years in Covid Pandemic, it is relevant to discuss the challenges extensively on the issues relating to the promotion of consumer welfare and protection of their rights as envisaged under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and find pragmatic and lasting solutions to overcome those challenges, including the effective and meaningful functioning of various bodies in digital mode.

Eligibility

The seminar is meant for officials from various organizations working in the field of consumer protection and welfare, dispute resolution officials, mediation practitioners, entrepreneurs, academicians, research scholars, law students, lawyers, think tanks, service providers, and members of NGOs and industry.

Themes

• Role, Powers and Functions of Central Consumer Protection Authority
• Consumer Disputes Redressal Authorities
• Consumer Rights and Obligations
• E-Commerce and Consumer Protection
• Sectoral Challenges and Consumer Protection
• Mediation and its Challenges in Consumer Justice
• E-filing of Consumer Complaints and their Disposal
• Offences & Penalties
• Unfair Trade Practices and Misleading Advertisements
• Product Liability
• Direct selling
• Cross-border trade and Consumer Protection
• Professional Negligence including Medical Negligence
• Consumer Education and Awareness-
  • Developing Course Module on Consumer Protection for Law students (Regular and Optional)
  • Developing Course Module on Consumer Welfare for stakeholders and students
  • Module for spreading education and awareness amongst the citizenry.
• Evolving Common Platform for manufacturers, traders, service providers and consumers
• Ensuring speedy and expeditious Consumer Justice.

Note: The themes listed above are only indicative and not exhaustive. Participants may select other related topics of relevance under the main theme.

Submission and Formatting Guidelines

• Abstract: Word limit -200-300 words including keywords
• Full Paper: Word Limit – 3,000-5,000 words (including footnotes)
• Heading: Times New Roman, 14, Bold, Central Aligned
• Sub-heading: Times New Roman, 12, Italics, Right Aligned
• Running text: Times New Roman, 12, 1.15 line spacing, Justified. (in MS Word), submission only in the .docx or .doc format will be accepted.
• The citations must conform to OSCOLA (Oxford Standard for the Citation of Legal Authorities) 4th edition for any references/footnotes.

Registration Fees

• Faculty/Professionals/NGOs – INR 1,000
• Research Scholars / Students – INR 500
• Payment:
  • Link for Registration/ Payment will be shared with the abstract confirmation mail.
  • On additional payment, as per the rules of the NLIU, limited accommodation may be provided on the University campus for outstation participants on a first come first serve basis, subject to availability of accommodation.

Important Deadlines

• Abstract Submission – September 30, 2022
• Full Paper Submission – October 30, 2022

Venue

Subject to the COVID-19 Protocol, the Seminar shall be held in physical mode at the National Law Institute University, Bhopal.

For further clarity one may contact cpls2022@nliu.ac.in

Abstract submission

Brochure