Consumer Law
Code
MM115
Department
Área de Ensino
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
Jorge Carvalho
Weekly hours
4.5
Teaching language
Português
Objectives
The main objective of the subject is complementary legal education to be provided in combination with other optional subjects. Although the subject is limited to consumer problems, the subject provides the opportunity to review basic Civil Law topics, by confronting students with some of the current trends in areas in which Consumer Law has played a pioneer role. The learning process is focused on resolving practical cases, which allows the development of competences in applying the acquired knowledge. The fact that the course material exclusively comprises everyday cases and transactions of which the students will have direct experience, assists the legal understanding of the problems involved, thus reducing the barriers of technical complexity and interdisciplinary connection. Finally, the subject is a tool for the selection of mediators for UMAC – The Consumer Disputes Mediation and Monitoring Unit
Subject matter
Basis and evolution of legal protection of consumers. The concept of consumer. Multidisciplinarity. Consumer contract: general principles on formation, quality and performance. Consumer contracts: distance contracts (including e-commerce) and off-premises contracts; unfair commercial practices; price reductions; free offer of goods and services; sale of goods; services; consumer credit.
Bibliography
Jorge Morais Carvalho, Manual de Direito do Consumo, Almedina, Coimbra, 2013
Carlos Ferreira de Almeida, Direito do Consumo, Almedina, Coimbra, 2005
Fernando Baptista de Oliveira, O Conceito de Consumidor – Perspectivas Nacional e Comunitária, Almedina, Coimbra, 2009
Fernando de Gravato Morais, Crédito aos Consumidores, Almedina, Coimbra, 2009
Geraint Howells e Thomas Wilhelmsson, EC Consumer Law, Aldershot, Ashgate, 1997
Jean Calais-Auloy e Frank Steinmetz, Droit de la consommation, 7.ª edição, Dalloz, Paris, 2006
João Calvão da Silva, Venda de bens de consumo, 4.ª edição, Almedina, Coimbra, 2010.Teaching method
During all classes there is continuous dialogue.
Evaluation method
The evaluation consists of a final exam, with the classification eventually increased by a paper presented by the student.