Tuesday 21 April 2026
The Court of First Instance in Sohar issued two judicial rulings against defendants
in favor of consumers, convicting them and imposing financial penalties for
violating the Consumer Protection Law promulgated by Royal Decree No.
(66/2014) and its Executive Regulations.
The facts of the first case relate to a complaint received by the Directorate
General for Consumer Protection in North Al Batinah Governorate from a
consumer against a commercial establishment operating in the field of door
supply and installation. The complainant stated that he had agreed with the
establishment to manufacture and install a number of doors and a glass partition
for his home for a total amount of OMR 1,500, within a specified period and
according to agreed specifications set out in the contract. However, the
establishment failed to complete the work within the agreed timeframe and did
not adhere to the agreed specifications, prompting the consumer to file a
complaint with the Directorate. The Directorate initiated evidence-gathering
procedures and referred the complaint to the Public Prosecution, which
completed the investigation procedures and referred the case file to the court.
The court ruled to convict the establishment of the misdemeanor of failing to
provide the service in a proper manner consistent with its nature and failing to
provide an invoice written in Arabic confirming receipt of the service. The court
sentenced the first defendant to one month’s imprisonment for the first offense
and imposed a fine of OMR 100, and for the second offense a fine of OMR 100.
The second defendant was also fined OMR 100 for each offense. Civilly, the
convicted parties were ordered to complete the contractual agreement with the
claimant and to compensate him in the amount of OMR 500 for breach of
contract.
As for the second case, its facts relate to a complaint received by the Directorate
from another consumer, who stated that he had contracted with the
establishment for the manufacture and installation of doors and windows and
paid an advance amount of OMR 3,200, with the work to be completed within
one month from the date of agreement in accordance with a contract between
the parties. However, the establishment failed to deliver the agreed service within
the specified timeframe and continued to delay its execution, in addition to
providing a non-Arabized invoice. This prompted the consumer to file a complaint
with the Directorate, which took the necessary procedures and referred it to the
Public Prosecution. The Public Prosecution completed the investigation and
referred the case file to the court.
The court ruled to convict the establishment of the misdemeanor of failing to
provide the service in a proper manner and failing to provide the consumer with
an invoice written in Arabic confirming receipt of the service. The court imposed a
fine of OMR 100 for each offense and ordered the convicted parties to
compensate the claimant in the amount of OMR 1,000, in addition to court fees
and expenses, while rejecting the remaining claims in the case.
The Consumer Protection Authority affirms its continued commitment to
enforcing the provisions of the Consumer Protection Law and its Executive
Regulations and to taking the prescribed legal measures against any violations
that affect consumer rights or breach the obligations imposed on suppliers. The
Authority also emphasizes the necessity for suppliers to adhere to implementing
services in accordance with the terms and timelines specified in contracts and
calls upon consumers to document their transactions through clear written
contracts to safeguard their rights and ensure proper legal procedures.