The Macau Consumer Mediation and Arbitration Centre recorded 21 cases of consumer disputes between the whole of last year and the first four months of this year, of which seven were mediation cases and 14 were settled by arbitration, according to a statement by the Macau Consumer Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Centre yesterday.
Taking into account the simple formalities and the speed of the mediation process, the statement said, a growing trend in the number of cases of consumer disputes to be resolved by mediation is therefore foreseen, adding that the centre will continue to optimise the respective services in line with this trend.
According to the statement, since the end of 2020, members of the public have been allowed to negotiate and opt for the resolution of their disputes through mediation and arbitration, or either of the two methods. The statement pointed out that mediation is carried out by one or more mediators in a “peaceful atmosphere”, with a view to encouraging the two parties to reach a mutually acceptable resolution in accordance with their needs, while arbitration is conducted by an arbitrator, who issues a legally binding decision.
The statement underlined that there is no upper limit on the value of consumer disputes handled by the centre. The statement added that conflicts involving self-employed professionals are now included in the centre’s scope of mediation and arbitration, with cross-border arbitration services also available to tourists.
The centre is continuing to enhance public awareness of its advantages, such as high efficiency, cost-effectiveness, speed and confidentiality, encouraging the public to use its services to resolve consumer disputes, the statement noted.
Enquiries about the centre’s services can be made by calling 8988 9315.
This image shows the Macau Consumer Mediation and Arbitration Centre’s official logo.
