Time limits in a consumer complaint matter

Consumer forum — two-year limitation

Section 69 of the Consumer Protection Act 2019 bars a consumer complaint admitted after two years from the date on which the cause of action arose, unless the forum records its reasons for condoning the delay.

The periods for an appeal

Section 69(1), Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (35 of 2019)

Whether a period has begun, and when it ends

Each period above runs from an event, and the date of that event is a fact about one matter rather than something this guide can state. Whether a period has begun, whether it has ended, and whether anything stops or extends it are questions an advocate answers on the papers in a particular case.

The documents these periods attach to

• Complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 — The period in Section 69 runs from the date on which the cause of action arose, and a Commission may condone a delay beyond it only by recording its reasons.

Related guides

• Consumer forum: jurisdiction, fees and appeals