The Consumer Disputes Commission

The Consumer Disputes Commission is an administrative tribunal that settles disputes in cases concerning consumer purchases of goods, including cases regarding right to withdrawal, and craftsman services. The commission also settles disputes between private parties in matters relating to the purchase of goods.

About the commission

The Commission is subordinated to the Ministry of Children and Families and was established by the Consumer Dispute Act of 28 April 1978 no. 18. This act is now replaced by Act of 23 June 2020 no. 98.

The Commission members are appointed by the Ministry of Children and Families for a term of four years. All the members are required to have a law-degree. The chairmen also have to be qualified to work as a judge in a Norwegian Court of Law. The other members have particular insight into the consumer’s and trader’s interests respectively. Every meeting consists of one chairman and at least one member with particular insights into consumer interest and at least one member with particular insights into trader interest.

The Secretariat for the Consumer Disputes Commission is located with The Norwegian Consumer Authority (Forbrukertilsynet). The secretariat prepares and administers the cases on behalf of the Consumer Dispute Commission. The case handlers write case summaries and make draft decisions before presenting the cases to the Commission.

The procedure

The case handling at the Consumer Disputes Commission represents the second of a two-step procedure. The first step consists of an obligatory effort to solve the dispute through mediation at the Consumer Authority. The plaintiff shall submit a written complaint to the Consumer Authority. The Consumer Authority shall invite the parties to submit relevant documentation, including obtaining expert opinions, in so far as this is necessary. When sufficient information is gathered, the Consumer Authority attempts to find an amicable settlement within the framework of the applicable law. The Consumer Authority can also propose solutions to the conflict.

If mediation is unsuccessful, one or both parties submit a petition to the Consumer Dispute Commission. The deadline for submitting the petition is one month from the date the case was closed by the Consumer Authority.

Case processing time

The average case processing time in the Consumer Disputes Commission is currently 8 – 10 months.

Written decision

The Commission shall consider the case on the basis of the written presentation, and the parties are not allowed to attend the meetings. The decisions are then served to the parties. Decisions from the Consumer Disputes Commission become binding and enforceable one month from the time the decision is served, unless one or both parties file a suit to the District Court.

Case expenses

When you submit a complaint, you must pay a case processing fee to the Consumer Disputes Commission. The fee is 1315 Norwegian kroners (NOK) in 2025. The consumer may also have to cover costs related to procuring expert opinions about the matter. The costs might be reimbursed by the opposing party if the consumer’s wins the claims – meaning the Consumer Dispute Commission agrees that the consumers claim is rightful.

Publication

The decisions are published on the Consumer Disputes Commission’s websites and on Lovdata. Decisions made by the Consumer Disputes Commission can neither be appealed to a superior administrative body nor to the Parliamentary Ombudsman.

Contact the Consumer Disputes Commission

Office address:
Porselensvegen 32, 
3920 Porsgrunn

Mailing address:
Forbrukertilsynet
Postboks 2862 Kjørbekk,
3702 Skien

Tlf: 23 40 06 00 
Opening hours: 09.00 – 11.15 and 11:45 – 14.30

E-mail: post@forbrukerklageutvalget.no