THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS IN UNITED KINGDOM

Abstract

The emergence of consumer protection regime in the United Kingdom is not a recent phenomenon. A plethora of jurisprudence has been developed on the rights and liabilities of sellers and buyers in the UK. The present consumer protection regime in the UK did not appear out of thin air, rather it is the result of some important developments which took place from pre-industrial era to post-industrial revolution. During the pre-industrial revolution era, doctrine of caveat emptor held prime importance, but with the increase in number of goods and services, this doctrine became redundant and a greater responsibility was shifted on the sellers in sale transactions. During the twentieth century, a need was felt to enforce specific consumer protection laws in the UK and thus a comprehensive framework of laws was established to protect and safeguard the consumer rights. There are several enforcement authorities in the UK which ensure that the rights of consumers are safeguarded in the best possible way. It can be thus said that the legal framework in the UK is quite robust and strives to provide relief to consumers in the best possible way.