ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines how consumers can enforce their legal rights, and how the compliance with consumer law and enforcement are handled by various public agencies in Hong Kong. Hong Kong has long been known as a shopping paradise. The retail sector is one of the major service sectors in Hong Kong in terms of transaction volumes and persons engaged. Incorporated under the Consumer Council Ordinance, the Consumer Council handles complaints from consumers and mediates between traders and consumers where there is a dispute. The Consumer Council administers the Consumer Council Legal Action Fund. The Financial Dispute Resolution Centre provides consumers with an alternative avenue which is independent and affordable for resolving monetary disputes with the financial institution by way of 'mediation first and arbitration next'. In April 2016, a fitness centre chain, California Fitness, was named and sanctioned by the Consumer Council for deploying intimidating and misleading sales practices to pressure consumers into purchasing membership and high-priced private lessons.
