The State Service for Antimonopoly and Consumer Market Control under the Ministry of Economy held a round table on the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day, which is celebrated on March 15. The event was attended by Chairman of the Presidium of the Bar Association Anar Baghirov, Vice-Rector and Acting Rector of the Academy of Justice of the Ministry of Justice Elchin Khalafov, Chairman of the Mediation Council’s Board Nadir Adilov and representatives of these organizations.

The Head of the State Service, Mammad Abbasbeyli, highlighted the socio-economic significance of consumer rights protection and the importance of a systematic approach in this direction, noting that all activities of the Service are ultimately aimed at ensuring consumer satisfaction. In this area, it is great importance to establish partnerships between all actors in the consumer rights protection process in order to enable consumers to receive high-quality, safe goods, works and services.

According to the Chairman of the Bar Association Anar Baghirov, consumer rights protection is a priority for lawyers and it is necessary to organize a continuous learning process in this direction. Anar Baghirov mentioned that, together with the State Service, it is planned to provide free legal assistance to consumers in the regions.

Chairman of the Mediation Council’s Board Nadir Adilov talked of the involvement of mediators in trainings organized by the Service, voicing that such involvement in these trainings is very important for both consumers and society as a whole. The Chairman said that the mediators are interested and passionate about this process, as the Service's trainings are based on the analysis of consumer appeals.

Elchin Khalafov, Acting Rector of the Academy of Justice of the Ministry of Justice, stressed the significance of conducting trainings for candidates for judges, as well as mediators. Although training for mediators serves to reduce the burden on the court, the consumer appeal is considered by the judges as a last resort if the issue is not resolved. In this regard, the involvement of future judges in these trainings serves to ensure a reasonable approach to the issue.

The event focused on the issues of investigating consumer appeals, discussing practical issues on court decisions regarding consumer rights protection and the possibility of conducting an examination by an administrative body. Various opinions and recommendations were expressed on the use of mediation as an alternative out-of-court solution to consumer disputes.