Quasi-judicial body
Topic: Consumer Rights and Consumer Protection · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 5 "Consumer Rights"
Meaning
A quasi-judicial body has court-like powers to settle disputes and give binding orders. However, it is not a regular court. It uses simpler and quicker procedures. The District, State and National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions are quasi-judicial bodies. This lets consumers get justice without the full formality of civil courts. A consumer can even argue their own case without a lawyer.
Example
Abirami paid ₹61,020 in advance for a two-year coaching course and left after one year because the teaching was poor. The District Commission, acting as a quasi-judicial body, ordered the institute to refund ₹28,000. The State Commission upheld the order and fined the institute ₹25,000 for a frivolous appeal.
Don't confuse with
- Advisory body (such as a consumer protection council): an advisory body only gives advice. A quasi-judicial body decides disputes.
- Regulator (such as the CCPA): a regulator investigates and enforces rules across a whole market. A quasi-judicial body decides individual complaints brought to it.
Related concepts
- Three-tier consumer redressal machinery
- Pecuniary jurisdiction
- Deficiency in service
- Medical negligence
- Class action suit