Consumer Law and Consumer Protection

What this unit covers

The page is mostly mind maps, each one a quick visual summary of how consumers are protected. Several cover the main legislation and the agencies that enforce it. One map on the 2007 consumer protection legislation explains that it aimed to update and modernise consumer law and set up a national body to promote and protect consumers' interests. Another covers the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980, including merchantable quality, fit for the purpose, sale by sample and sale by description.

Where to start

Begin with Consumer Law, a broad map that links consumers with negligence, traders, contract law, class actions and the methods for resolving disputes. Then open Consumer Protection, which sets out the basic idea that an item must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described.

Next, move to the two maps called Consumer Conflict. They list causes of conflict such as bad customer service, over-priced goods and faulty or poor quality products. They also set out non-legislative ways to settle a problem, such as negotiation. One of them brings in the idea of caveat emptor, or let the buyer beware.

Agencies, laws and remedies

Many maps on the page share the title Laws/Consumer Issues and Agencies. They are student versions of the same topic, so comparing a few shows you what different people picked out as important. The Trading Standards Service map covers the role of promoting fair trading, empowering consumers with knowledge and making sure businesses comply. Consumer Issues lists laws on weights and measures, trade descriptions, food safety and food labelling. A further map looks at remedies, including criminal penalties.

Using maps with flashcards and quizzes

Read a map first, then test yourself. The flashcard deck on definitions for resolving conflict in the marketplace covers contract, consideration, capacity, condition, warranty and caveat emptor. Other decks cover bans and standards, and whether consumer law has achieved its objectives. There are two quizzes: one titled Consumer Law. and one on age restricted selling. Take a quiz after the maps, note what you missed, and go back to those branches.

Where it fits

This unit sits in the Commercial and Regulatory Law strand of the Law (general and introduction) subject. Teachers can set a map as a starter task or use the slide set on consumer credit as a ready-made prompt for discussion.

When you're ready, pick one map, work through it, and then make a flashcard deck of your own from its key terms.