The steps that normally exist to resolve a conflict are:
○ Information;
○ Mediation and conciliation;
○ Arbitration,
○ Decision (ruling) of a Peace Court, and
○ Courts.
○ Information;
○ Mediation and conciliation;
○ Arbitration,
○ Decision (ruling) of a Peace Court, and
○ Courts.
However, bear in mind that the information is one of the essential bases for prevention. For example, inform yourself before buying or before signing the contract. Information can solve a conflict situation.
Further information on www.consumidor.pt, or directly with the GAIC- Office of Immigrant Support Consumer National Centre for Immigrant Support.
Further information on www.consumidor.pt, or directly with the GAIC- Office of Immigrant Support Consumer National Centre for Immigrant Support.
Information is one of the essential bases for prevention. For example, inquire before buying. Before signing the contract.
The information from vendors and service providers must be:
• True, that is, it cannot mislead the consumer;
• Complete, in particular it must refer to the characteristics, the composition and the price of goods and services;
• Loyal and in good faith.
The consumer should:
• Be aware of all the particulars entered on the labels whether or not contained by images, trademarks, stickers, straps, in signs, in capsules or even documents that accompany the product;
• Be aware of the contracts, particularly for small print and content that does not notice. Because contracts are increasingly complex (large and do not always easy to interpret), do not sign without realizing what you are signing (if not realize or do not want, do not sign).
• Before hiring (buying, purchasing, signing a document, requesting the services, and sometimes even say yes ...), go to a consumer protection framework that can give a valuable and free information.
The steps that normally exist to resolve a conflict are:
○ Information;
○ Mediation and conciliation;
○ Arbitration,
○ Decision (ruling) of a Peace Court, and
○ Courts.
Information can solve a conflict situation. For example, informing a consumer that does not have the right to cancel a particular contract or inform the professional consumer rights is legitimate and is provided for by law can remedy the conflict. Mediation and conciliation are procedures where a third party seeks to facilitate the resolution of the dispute by bringing the parties supporting them in trying to find a solution by common consent. In arbitration, where there has to be a voluntary party (consumer and the professional have to agree to put the decision of the conflict in the hands of an Arbitral Tribunal), so the referee (judge) can issue a decision which has the same force as a judgment of a court of law. In the Peace Judged procedures are designed and are guided by principles of simplicity, appropriateness, informality, orality and absolute procedural economy. A decision can be obtained by agreement or by decision of the Justice of the Peace.
The mediation, conciliation, arbitration and recourse to the Justice of the Peace are considered forms of dispute resolution by alternative means.
The structures are many, so we should examine the case (each case is different). To get an idea of the structures that exist here we leave a brief list:
Extrajudicial dispute resolution:
Extrajudicial dispute resolution:
○ Municipal Consumer Information Centers (CIAC, SMIC, GIAC, etc.). These structures exist in several municipalities / cities, so you can questioning at the town hall of his home;
○ Arbitration Centers of Consumer Disputes
○ .i. Horizontal Centers: Consumer Disputes Arbitration Centre of Lisbon; Centre for Information, Mediation and Arbitration Algarve consumption; Center for Information and Arbitration Cávado Valley; Arbitration Centre for Consumer Disputes Ave Valley; Arbitration Centre for Consumer Disputes District of Coimbra; Information center of consumption and Porto Arbitration; Arbitration Centre for Consumer Disputes of the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
○ .ii. Vertical Centers: Automotive Sector Arbitration Centre - CASA; Centre for Information, Mediation and Arbitration Car Insurance - CIMASA, Arbitration Commission of Tourism.
○ Consumer Associations;
○ Regulators (ERSE - Energy Services Regulatory Authority, CMVM - Securities Market Commission, Bank of Portugal, National Civil Aviation Authority - INAC, etc.)
○ Directorate General for Consumer Affairs (UMAC);
○ Peace Courts (can get more information on www.conselhodosjulgadosdepaz.com.pt/).
○ European Consumer Centre (for the cross-border conflicts in the EU)
Judicial dispute resolution:
○ Courts
Further information on www.consumidor.pt, or directly with the GAIC- Office of Immigrant Support Consumer National Centre for Immigrant Support.
