From 1 July 2010, consumers will be able to get out of ‘standard form’ contracts which contain ‘unfair’ terms.
The unfair contract terms amendments apply to standard form contracts between business and a consumer entered after 1 July 2010.
The changes arise from amendments to the Trade Practices Act 1974, being the Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Act (No. 1) 2010 (Act).
Amendments
A consumer contract is a contract for the supply of goods or services or a sale or grant of an interest in land to an individual whose acquisition of the goods, services or interest is wholly or predominantly for personal, domestic or household use or consumption.
A term in a consumer contract is ‘unfair’ if:
The onus is on the party relying on the clause to prove that the term is reasonably necessary to protect its legitimate interests.
Examples of unfair contract terms provided in the Act are terms which may have the effect of permitting one party to unilaterally vary the terms of the contract or avoid performance of the contract or terminate the contract.
Practical effect
Unfair contracts legislation has been in force in NSW since 1980.
That legislation has resulted in a significant amount of disputation and litigation by consumers seeking to avoid their contractual obligations.
All Australian consumers, not those just in NSW, will now have additional grounds upon which to challenge their contractual obligations. In many cases consumers will rely on the provisions to defend claims for payment.
The Act will:
Those who purchase goods or services over the internet will now have some degree of recourse. Clicking the ‘Agree and Proceed’ icon without reading the extensive fine print which invariably accompanies internet sales may not be as fatal as it once was.
What can businesses do?
Businesses should address those concerns by:
Lavan Comment: The amendments give consumers increased contractual rights. In practice, the only consumers who will benefit are those who default in their payment obligations and then attempt to use the ‘unfair’ terms provision to avoid or negotiate their way out of payment.
The legislation will increase compliance costs to business but otherwise will have little practical effect for the vast majority of consumers who honour their contractual obligations.
For further information please contact:
Associate Cecilia Camarri on 08 9288 6757 / cecilia.camarri@lavanlegal.com.au.