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Uribe & Asociados, your trusted lawyers in Panama and Colombia.
Specialists in Consumer Protection Matters in Panama
In Panama, consumer protection is regulated and safeguards, among other things, the key player in the economy. This law aims to guarantee commercial relations and protect consumers against abusive, deceptive, or unfair practices by providers of goods and services. The Consumer Protection and Competition Authority (ACODECO) is responsible for regulating and overseeing these rights.
We assist you with all matters related to consumer protection, from the application of rules and laws to representation in administrative and judicial processes.
- Misleading advertising.
- Breach of warranties.
- Claims and defenses against unfair commercial practices.
- Process for annulling abusive clauses in adhesion contracts.
We understand that consumer rights are closely linked to business activity and the sale of products and services offered in the market. We have extensive experience in this field; we advise both consumers and economic agents so that both comply with their obligations.
More Information on Consumer Protection
If the economic agent refuses to resolve your claim, at Uribe & Asociados we are qualified to advise you in filing your complaint with the Consumer Protection and Competition Authority (ACODECO).
If you make a purchase of a product or real estate and it is agreed that you can withdraw from the transaction, you are entitled to a refund of the amount paid. In case there is resistance to such a refund, you can rely on our advisory services.
The economic agent promoting the sale of a good through advertising, regardless of the medium, must deliver what is promised in accordance with the truth. They may not provide a false or inaccurate description of the facts, and the advertising used must not induce error or confusion.
FAQ
Example: You buy a car and, during the warranty period, you notice unusual noises in the suspension; the economic agent replaces the shock absorbers more than twice and you see no improvement. In a conciliation proceeding before ACODECO, the company acknowledges that the problem is not the shock absorbers, but that the car’s suspension was not designed for Panamanian roads. This statement, recorded in the conciliation proceeding, becomes the key evidence to take action against the economic agent for hidden defects. (This was a real case successfully handled by Uribe & Asociados).
The supplier is obligated to guarantee the proper functioning of the good; if the purchased good does not work, the supplier must repair it. However, if it continues to have functional problems, the consumer can request its replacement or a refund of the amounts paid.
For example: You buy an apartment and the advertising content promises that the floors will be imported from Europe and that the gas service will be communal in the building. However, when the apartment is delivered, you realize this is not the case. This fact would become irrefutable evidence to file a claim not only before ACODECO but also in commercial courts for misleading advertising. (This was a real case successfully handled by Uribe & Asociados).