Northcote South, Victoria5 Consumers rights solicitor near you

Consumer law appeared in France in the 1970s in order to redress the imbalance between the professional and the consumer. The latter had no freedom of contractual negotiation. It was at this time that the articles of law concerning misleading advertising were introduced and that consumer credit and distance selling were better regulated. The Consumer Code has officially been in force since 1993 and is regularly supplemented by case law.

There are many commercial law cases that a lawyer specialising in consumer law can defend: housing, lease or co-ownership disputes, door-to-door selling, dubious commercial practices, distance or online selling, misleading advertising, poorly done work, a dispute over a service, for example a problem with a garage mechanic or a bricklayer, a delay in delivery, a dispute concerning a trip, etc. His task is to represent the interests of a client before the competent courts: judicial court, court of appeal, Court of Cassation. Consumer law also governs all matters relating to the delivery of a defective product, the purchase of furniture, fraudulent handling, hidden defects, unfair terms, the guarantee of conformity, etc. A lawyer must also advise his client on the right of withdrawal, which is 14 days, except if the sale took place at a trade fair, and ensure that there was no defect in consent.

To hire a consumer lawyer in Northcote South, it's easy to find a trusted directory of lawyers in your area. Whatever the nature of the case, a general practitioner is able to advise and represent you before the judge if the case is referred to the court. Nevertheless, pleading a case involving consumer law can sometimes be tricky. This is why it is better to call on a lawyer who specialises in commercial law.

There is no need to wait for a summons to the local court or for a dispute to arise before calling on a consumer lawyer. Like any lawyer, a consumer law specialist also acts as an advisor. He can therefore help you to unravel the conditions of a loan and more generally everything related to banking law: foreclosure period, debt adjustment, over-indebtedness, he is also able to draw up long-term rental contracts and also to assert your rights and demand the reimbursement of sums paid as well as damages if you have suffered a loss. Whatever the nature of the dispute, a lawyer will be able to defend you in court.

While most of the time the nature of the case determines the amount of the fee, some lawyers or law firms prefer to charge an hourly rate. Of course, the financial aspect of a case is fixed in a fee agreement signed between the lawyer and the client during the first meeting. As an indication, in Northcote South, it is necessary to count between 150 and 250 € per hour for the advice of a lawyer specialized in consumer law, whether it is a written consultation, the sending of a registered letter or other. The reputation of a lawyer or his office and its geographical location also influence the amount of fees.

Rule n°1: as the profession of lawyer is regulated, all professionals must have a diploma and be sworn in before a bar association. This information can be checked with the Bar Association. Rule 2: a good consumer lawyer must assert your rights and seek compensation if you have been wronged.

Defending a consumer law case can be tricky. Some contracts or subscriptions may contain unfair terms. It is important at the first meeting with a lawyer to provide him or her with all the documents in your possession. This could be an estimate, an order form, etc.
Although the local court (formerly the magistrates' court) is competent to judge disputes not exceeding €10,000, depending on the nature of the case, it is sometimes necessary to refer the matter to the judicial court (formerly the high court). In such cases, the use of a lawyer is compulsory and the court to be seized is that of the adversary's domicile. It will therefore be necessary to call on the services of a postulant lawyer. Every consumer/contractor must assert his rights. However, in view of the legal and procedural costs, lawyers advise against going to court for a dispute of less than €1500. However, legal aid or legal assistance may help you to meet some of the costs.