Consumer Protection, Statute and the Ongoing Influence of the General Law in Singapore

Abstract

Consumers seeking redress for misleading and other types of wrongful conduct by traders will usually seek to rely on the rights provided under consumer protection statutes, primarily in Singapore the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (Cap 52A, 2009 Rev Ed) ("CPFTA''), even where well-established doctrines in equity, contract and tort may also be available to provide relief. This body of general law doctrines and principles nonetheless remains influential in interpreting and applying the provisions of consumer protection statutes. This article considers the rights and remedies given to consumers under the CPFTA, the role of the general law in interpreting these provisions and also, given the inevitable scarcity of relevant case law, the imperative to have regard to the judicial interpretation of comparable legislative regimes in other jurisdictions.

Keywords: consumer protection, statutes, Singapore

JEL Classification: K00, K19