Bachelorarbeit, 2019
61 Seiten
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1. Background and interest of the research
2. Research problem
3. Research questions
4. Research objectives
5. Research methodology
6. Scope of the study
7. Structure of the study
CHAPTER I: CURRENT LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF E-CONSUMER REDRESS IN RWANDA
1.1 PORTRAYAL OF E-CONSUMER REDRESS
1.2 LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF E-CONSUMER REDRESS IN RWANDA
1.2.1 COMPETITION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION LAW
1.2.2 OTHER AUTHORITIES
1.3 ASSESSMENT OF THE SUITABILITY AND ADEQUACY OF EXISTING REDRESS MECHANISMS
CHAPTER II: THE RELIEF OF RWANDAN PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAWS AND JURISDICTIONS ARISING FROM CROSS-BORDER E-COMMERCE
2.1. CONFLICT OF LAWS
2.2. CONFLICT OF JURISDICTIONS
2.2.1. PANACEA OF RWANDAN PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL RULES FOR JURISDICTIONAL ISSUES
2.2.2. ASSESSMENT OF THE ADEQUACY OF RWANDAN JURISDICTIONAL RULES
CHAPTER III: PROPOSAL OF MEANS TO IMPROVE E-CONSUMER REDRESS FOR CROSS-BORDER ISSUES
3.1. THE NEED FOR ONLINE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ODR) FOR E-COMMERCE
3.1.1. Online Arbitration
3.1.2. Online Mediation
3.2. THE NEED FOR A ROBUST LEGAL FRAMEWORK ON E-COMMERCE
GENERAL CONCLUSION
RECOMMENDATIONS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
This research aims to identify the legal loopholes in the Rwandan framework concerning e-commerce transactions, specifically focusing on the availability and effectiveness of consumer redress mechanisms for cross-border disputes. It evaluates whether existing private international law rules adequately protect consumers in the digital space and proposes practical solutions, such as the adoption of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), to enhance consumer trust and protection.
1.1 PORTRAYAL OF E-CONSUMER REDRESS
The right of consumers to redress is at the center of modern consumer protection policy. At this point, before we specifically delve into the legal framework, it is worth reflecting briefly on the general concept of consumer redress which is certainly broad.
In order to define redress, we first need to have a clear understanding of what we mean by a complaint because in e-commerce complaints take on greater importance than in other types of commerce. Most definitions of what constitutes a complaint suggest that the key defining factor is an expression of dissatisfaction in a purchase or service. For example, the British Standards Institute (BSI)’s complaint handling standard defined a complaint as: “[A]n expression of dissatisfaction made to an organization, related to its products, or the complaints handling process itself, where a response or resolution is explicitly or implicitly expected.”
Redress may thus be defined as the means by which the said dissatisfaction is addressed. In other words, ‘redress’ refers to the setting right of what is wrong, relief from wrong or injury, compensation or satisfaction for a wrong or injury. A consumer redress is then conceptualized as “a remedy for a wrong arising from a contract or other relationship between a consumer and trader.”
Noteworthy is that consumer redress should, however, not be confused with dispute resolution as the two concepts have distinct legal nature. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, dispute resolution refers to “the use of mechanisms designed to provide consumers who have suffered economic harm resulting from transactions involving goods or services, including transactions across borders, the opportunity to resolve their complaints against businesses and to obtain redress” and redress refers to “compensation for economic harm, whether in the form of a monetary remedy (e.g. a voluntary payment, damages, restitution or other monetary relief) or a conduct remedy with a restorative element like the exchange of a goods or services, specific performance or rescission of a contract, etc. Nevertheless, for the purpose of this paper, the use of redress will entail both concepts.
CHAPTER I: CURRENT LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF E-CONSUMER REDRESS IN RWANDA: This chapter analyzes the status quo of consumer protection laws in Rwanda, focusing on their effectiveness in addressing the unique challenges posed by e-commerce transactions.
CHAPTER II: THE RELIEF OF RWANDAN PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAWS AND JURISDICTIONS ARISING FROM CROSS-BORDER E-COMMERCE: This chapter examines the limitations of current private international law in resolving conflicts of law and jurisdiction for consumers engaged in international online shopping.
CHAPTER III: PROPOSAL OF MEANS TO IMPROVE E-CONSUMER REDRESS FOR CROSS-BORDER ISSUES: This chapter explores potential solutions to strengthen the legal framework, emphasizing the implementation of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) as a viable alternative for cross-border dispute settlement.
E-commerce, consumer protection, consumer redress, Rwanda law, cross-border transactions, jurisdictional issues, online dispute resolution, ODR, litigation, private international law, digital transactions, contract law, online arbitration, online mediation, consumer rights.
The dissertation analyzes the legal situation of e-consumer protection in Rwanda, specifically addressing the challenges of providing effective redress for consumers in cross-border e-commerce disputes.
The research explores the inadequacy of current Rwandan consumer protection laws, the complexities of jurisdictional conflicts in the digital age, and the potential for implementing alternative online dispute resolution mechanisms.
The goal is to identify gaps in existing Rwandan law and propose reforms, including legislative amendments and the introduction of modern dispute resolution tools, to ensure that e-consumers can effectively enforce their rights.
The author uses a combination of desktop research for legal analysis, a comparative method to assess international benchmarks against Rwandan legislation, and an analytical approach to data interpretation.
The main body covers the analysis of current Rwandan legal frameworks (including the 2012 Competition and Consumer Protection Law), the assessment of conflict of laws in cross-border dealings, and practical proposals for improving redress via Online Dispute Resolution (ODR).
The work is characterized by terms such as e-commerce, consumer redress, cross-border transactions, jurisdictional issues, online dispute resolution, and consumer protection law.
The author argues that e-commerce does not occupy a specific, well-defined place under current Rwandan legislation, leading to significant challenges in enforcing consumer rights.
ODR is presented as a supplementary, low-cost, and efficient alternative to traditional litigation, which is often prohibitively expensive and technically complex for individual consumers in cross-border scenarios.
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