résumé

The new Consumer's Protection Act came wholly into force on April 30, 1981 under the title of Chapter P 41.1 of the Q.R.S., replacing and clarifying the former Consumer's Protection Act enacted in 1974 as Chapter 74.

The new Act goes so far as to change some century-old rules of the Civil Code, including the law ofproof, all infavour of a better dealfor the consumer. In almost every case of abuse or violation of any section of the Act, the consumer must simply prove that the merchant violated one or more of its sections in order that penalties of sections 271 and 272 apply.

The types of applicable penalties depend on the offence: Did the business- man simply overlook what the Act considers a mere formality? Then the contract is voidable where a defence of lack of interest lies. Did the businessman contravene what the Act considers a fundamental right of the consumer? The consumer has a choice of remedies : — execution of the obligation by a third party; — reduction of costs; — annulment or resolution of the contract, the whole with a possible demand of damages, real and exemplary. The article explains the differences between form and substance as accepted by statute or case law, and the solutions applied. The correlation with other parts of the Civil Code, untouched by the Consumer Protection Act, is also studied, both in matters of proof, intent, and possible unjust enrichment of the consumer.

table des matières

Introduction

Les règles de base de l'annulation et de la nullité dans la Loi

La portée de l'annulation sous l'article 271 de la Loi

Le vice de forme, ses conséquences sous l'article 271

Les moyens d'éluder les conséquences prévues à l'article 271

L'article 272 et son application

La mise en demeure et l'administration des articles 271 et 272

La notion d'enrichissement injuste et les articles 271 et 272

Le dol et l'article 272

Autres défenses sous l'article 272

Conclusions et suggestions

 


Dernière modification : le 1 janvier 1982 à 19 h 03 min.