Consumer Protection Act vs Lawyers: Are Legal Services Covered Under CPA?
🏛️ Consumer Protection Act vs Lawyers: Can Advocates Be Sued for Deficiency in Service? Introduction The Consumer Protection Act was enacted to safeguard consumers from unfair trade practices, fraud, poor quality, and non-delivery of promised services. Originally designed to cover sectors like healthcare, retail, and finance, a question soon arose — should lawyers also fall within its ambit? If a lawyer accepts fees but fails to perform due diligence or act responsibly, can the client drag them before a consumer court for deficiency in service ? This question continues to generate intense debate within India’s legal system. ⚖️ Legal Background: The 1986 Act and “Service” Definition The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 , defines “service” under Section 2(1)(o) as any service made available to potential users in exchange for consideration. In 2007, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC ) held that legal services provided by advocates would fall under this defini...