Thursday 25 June 2026
The Court of First Instance in Muscat Governorate issued a judicial ruling against a commercial
establishment operating in the furniture and furnishings sector for violating the Consumer Protection
Law promulgated by Royal Decree No. (66/2014) and its Executive Regulations. The Court ruled to
convict the establishment, impose a financial penalty, and oblige it to pay the amounts due to the
consumer, as part of the ongoing efforts to protect consumers’ rights and ensure that commercial
establishments provide services in a proper manner.
The facts of the case stem from an agreement between a consumer and a commercial establishment
specializing in furniture and furnishings for the purchase of a complete bedroom set together with
certain additional items for an agreed amount, with delivery, transportation, and installation to be
completed on a specified date. However, the establishment failed to comply with the agreed delivery
date and began delaying responses to communications while providing unacceptable justifications,
which compelled the consumer to visit the establishment’s premises on several occasions without
obtaining any satisfactory outcome.
The consumer stated in his complaint that he had paid part of the agreed amount in cash and another
part through electronic bank transfer, with the remaining balance to be paid upon installation of the
furniture. Nevertheless, the establishment failed to deliver the agreed items and did not provide the
invoice until some time after the agreement had been concluded. As the delays and lack of response
continued, the consumer filed an official complaint with the Consumer Protection Authority, supported
by evidence and correspondence demonstrating the establishment’s unfulfilled promises.
Following the completion of the usual legal procedures, consideration of the complaint and supporting
evidence, and the failure to reach an amicable settlement between the parties, the matter was referred
to the competent authorities, which subsequently referred the case file to the Public Prosecution. Upon
completion of the investigation and consideration of the case, the Court rendered a judgment deemed
as attended, convicting the commercial establishment and its representatives of the misdemeanor of
failing to provide the service in a proper manner, pursuant to Article (23) in conjunction with Article (39)
of the Consumer Protection Law.
The Court sentenced the commercial establishment and its representatives to a financial penalty of
OMR 500 and ordered the establishment to pay OMR 150 in respect of the outstanding debt owed by it,
in addition to OMR 200 as compensation for the damages sustained by the consumer, together with the
legal costs.
The Consumer Protection Authority emphasizes the necessity for suppliers to comply with the laws and
regulations applicable to consumer protection and to fulfil all conditions and obligations imposed upon
them when providing any goods or services, in a manner that safeguards consumers’ rights, enhances
confidence in commercial transactions, and limits practices that infringe consumer rights or compromise
the quality of services provided.