Tuesday 2 December 2025
The Primary Court in Barka issued a judicial ruling against a commercial establishment and its owner after it was proven that they violated the Consumer Protection Law issued by Royal Decree No. (66/2014), following a complaint filed by a consumer due to the failure to execute an agreed-upon service.
The incident dates back to a complaint submitted by a consumer to the Consumer Protection Authority, stating that he had contracted with an establishment to upholster chairs and a table, in addition to tailoring a new set of chairs and a set of curtains for his home, for a total value of (310) Omani Rials. He paid an advance amount of (200) Omani Rials, provided that the work would be delivered within two weeks according to the concluded contract. However, the establishment failed to provide the service within the agreed timeframe and delayed without justification, prompting the consumer to request a refund of the advance payment. Upon summoning the defendant, he acknowledged his awareness of the complaint and admitted the non-compliance.
The Authority initiated evidence-gathering procedures and referred the case file to the Public Prosecution, which completed its investigations and then transferred the case to the competent court for adjudication.
After examining the case, the court issued its ruling convicting the establishment and its owner, sentencing them to ten (10) days of imprisonment, imposing a financial fine of (100) Omani Rials, in addition to obligating them to compensate the consumer with a compensatory amount of (250) Omani Rials, and ordering them to bear the costs of the criminal case.
The ruling was issued after it was proven that the establishment violated its obligation to provide the service properly and in accordance with its nature, which constitutes a clear breach of the Consumer Protection Law and its Executive Regulations.
The Consumer Protection Authority reiterates its commitment to following up on complaints and enforcing laws to safeguard consumer rights, urging all commercial establishments to comply with applicable laws and regulations, and to provide services that meet approved standards in order to preserve trust between the provider and the consumer.
These efforts come in alignment with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 in building an effective legal system based on justice and the rule of law, and in enhancing consumer confidence in the market through improving service quality and ensuring the rights of all parties.