Alternative Dispute Resolution

What is Out-of-Court Consumer Dispute Resolution and What are Alternative Consumer Dispute Resolution Entities?

Out-of-court Dispute Resolution covers mediation, conciliation and arbitration of consumer disputes, both national or cross-border. The ARL (Alternative Resolution of Lithium) entities are entities established in Portugal and authorized to mediate, conciliation and arbitration, and they must be included in the list of ARL entities, provided for by Law No. 144/2015. They are independent entities, with specialised staff, which, on the one hand and impartially, help the consumer and the company to reach an amicable solution through mediation or conciliation, and, on the other hand, and if such an agreement is not reached, allow a decision to be taken by arbitrators in a simple and rapid process, through arbitration.

When can I resort to out-of-court dispute resolution through an ARL entity?

In case of dissatisfaction with the service or product provided, the consumer may use one of the Alternative Consumer Dispute Resolution entities listed in www.arbitragemdeconsumo.org (additional information may be obtained in www.consumidor.pt), provided that:

- the procedure is initiated by a consumer against a supplier of goods or service providers;
- Respect contractual obligations resulting from contracts for the sale and sale or provision of services;
- The contract is concluded between a supplier of goods or service providers and consumers established and resident, respectively, in Portugal and the European Union.
 
Which Alternative Consumer Dispute Resolution entity can you use because of a dispute?

CIMAAL - Centro de Arbitragem de Cnsumo do Algarve (Algarve Consumer Arbitration Centre)